Parables of Jesus - Great Storytellers Part II
,%20literally%20throwing%20(bole).png)
Jesus’ parables utilized story to produce the spiritual lesson or lessons. Were as a proverb, metaphor, simile, or figure of speech centers usually on a word, phrase or sentence.
Of Jesus’ parables experts count about 30 parables recorded in the Synoptic Gospels Matthew, Mark and Luke. Curiously the Gospel of John has none.
Some of Jesus more notable stories in parable form include: Barren Fig Tree; Budding Fig Tree; The Speck and The Log; Counting the Cost; Faithful Servant; Friend at Night and the Good Samaritan.
Others recorded include: Good Shepherd; Grain of Wheat; Great Banquet; Growing Seed; Rich man and Lazarus; Sheep and Goats; The Sower; Mustard Seed; The Wise and Foolish Builders and New Wine into Old Wineskins.
It hard to write about the parables and stories of Jesus without mentioning the trio of "Lost Things": Lost Coin; Lost Sheep and The Prodigal Son.
Some of Jesus stories might make us scratch our head as we await the truth of the parable. Consider these puzzling parables: Ten Virgins or The Unjust Steward.
Some parable of Jesus are complex. Others simple and straight forward. Sometimes the simple is too easily overlooked. One good way to approach a biblical parable is to consider a couple of Pro-Tips asking what’s the:
Nature / Purpose of the story?
Context / Culture?
Main Point(s) / Smaller Details?
Surprise or Twist in the story? and a caution
Don't read into the Text!
The stories Jesus told stand often in stark contrast to the church which has become imperial, highly organized and competitive religion that was all around Jesus and his ministry.
Imagine yourself as one of the crowd, listening to the force and authority of Jesus’s words, his stories his uniquely spoken and crafted parables. What is it like to hear Jesus speak in this way? It’s foreign; It’s provocative. He causing me to think about what I’m thinking about. I like it! I don’t like it!! I ……………..