“Who is my neighbour?”
Jesus replied with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. A man on his way to Jericho from Jerusalem, was attacked, robbed and left for dead. Both the Priest and Levite went without helping him. It was not that they were insensitive or evil men. The Law prevented them from helping. To touch a dead man or to come into contact with the blood of an injured person would make them unclean and meant that they carry out their duties. They put the claims of the Law first. The Samaritan stopped, helped and rescued the unfortunate traveller. This Parable concludes with Jesus making the lawyer admit that the Samaritan had been the good neighbour.
The Parable of the Rich Fool surrounded the Crisis of the Kingdom. On one occasion, a large crowd surrounds Jesus. A man asks Jesus to tell his brother to divide the property between them. It was quite common in Judaism for an appeal to be made to a religious leader in matters of legal inheritance. Jesus refused the role of arbitrator. Instead he gave to warnings:
To the poor he said:
“Be on your guard against greed of every kind”
To the rich he said:
“Wealth does not give…life (12:15).”
Then Jesus went on to tell the Parable of the Rich Man who hoarded his possessions to make sure his future was secure. He retired to enjoy his life. He told himself he could take life easy:
“Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself (12:19).”
That night he died and was parted from his wealth. This Parable shows warnings against greed. Wealth does not restore a person to God.
Jesus Christ’s teachings during his ministry on Earth, was what separated Judaism from Christianity, which was known as the ‘New Way’. About one third of his teachings that were recorded in Luke’s Gospel of Good News were in the form of Parables. But what was the use of Parables during his ministry? What made them such an effective method of teaching?
Throughout the generations of human life to the present day, people have enjoyed stories. Parables make ideal stories because they contain few basic characters and simplicity with contrasts; a build up and of course; an ending involving a moral or a teaching.
People could listen to these Parables and they were already part of the Jewish faith so they were easy to remember. However, most Parables were far from easy to understand. The majority of these teachings were carried out through ‘oral tradition’ or ‘word of mouth’. Seeming as though only well educated people could read and write. During that time, people would traditionally memorise and recite stories including other information.
Parables make people think for themselves, giving them an understanding of their own impressions of the meaning. This means that parables manipulate the theory ‘the more you put into something, the more you get out of it’. Depending on the amount of thought and consideration put into exemplifying a Parable, a greater level of understanding will be gained. The listener should put all that they learnt from their interpretations of the morals and teachings into practice in their lives.
People responded better to Parables rather than being supplied a list of rules and regulations to follow. They gave them flexibility and freedom and were not in any way aggressive threats.
Jesus also used Parables as a form of ‘retaliation’ to those who confronted him. Two groups that were known for this in Luke’s Gospel of Good News were the Pharisees and Sadducees. A good example of this could be found during the end of Jesus’ ministry at Holy Week. The Parable of the Vineyard (Luke 20 v 9-16) was presented whilst in the temple when he was confronted by the accusation of from whom he had the authority to preach to the people. This Parable is a good example of an allegory. In this Parable, Jesus was proclaiming to the Jews that God had continuously sent messengers in the form of Prophets, and the people had always turned on them. This time, God had sent to them his own son, but still the people rejected him.
Many groups had attempted to catch out Jesus by asking difficult and sometimes critical questions. Like the Pharisees and Sadducees, the Lawyers; Scribes and the Romans disliked him too.
The Prophet Issaiah wrote that the purpose of the Parables was to hide the truth rather than reveal it. This is unlikely to be true of the Parables Jesus told as the Kingdom of God is meant for everyone, not just the well educated.
In my opinion, it is patently obvious that Jesus did not intend to confuse people with the Parables he used in his teaching. For once, the listeners had heard Jesus’ message in one of the four Parable categories, repeated it to others, the word of God’s Kingdom, it’s ways are made clear to those whose hearts are open to receive the ‘New Way’.
In Luke’s books, he selected his material carefully so he can communicate the Good News through Parables told by Jesus, to reach all sectors of the community, presenting Jesus as the Saviour of the World.
The main theme of Parables has been on the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is not a physical area of land, but it is the authority of God. To be under the rule of God would mean that one must respond to him in faith and accept his rule and authority over life.
At Jesus’ time, the Jews believed that the Kingdom was both in the Present and Future.
In the Present; God guided all his people and was with them at all times.
In the Future; Jews believed that there would come a day when God’s rule was accepted by the whole world and he would have the authority over the entire Earth.
Luke shows the readers, that the Parables of Jesus allowed people to think for themselves and two levels; the obvious and hidden. For those who listened carelessly obtain only the surface meaning, but those of us who open our hearts and want to follow Christ will understand the deeper meanings of his teachings through Parables.
(B) Discuss the meaning and relevance of Parables to the belief and life of Christians today
Parables were all about the Kingdom of God, explaining different aspects of the Kingdom. Parables are never outdated, and so the stories can be updated into modern day life, which people still can relate to. I think that we still make great use of Parables to this day, and in the far future. I believe that Parables are all everlasting and will never lose their meaning. The Kingdom of God is the central emphasis of the Christian faith to all modern-day followers. Therefore Christians would say that the guidelines they were given in order to live good livers in the eyes of the Lord are still completely relevant today.
The story used to project the hidden message may be out of date today, but the moral or teaching will be of the same value today as they came from the Lord himself.
Anyone that has studied Parables and appreciated their meaning for themselves will know that they contain helpful advice for everyday living, and encourage only moral and principled behaviour. If people followed these more justly, they would surely not hurt their fellow human beings. Admittedly such things as to be kind, loving and never dishonest will always apply, regardless of the decade or century.
As mentioned before, there are four categories in which Parables are placed under:
- The Kingdom of God has arrived
- Repentance and Forgiveness is the way into the Kingdom
- The Claims of the Kingdom
- The Crisis of the Kingdom
Christians see, in the Parable of the New Wine in Old Wineskin (5:36-39), that the Kingdom of God is present here and now in the lives of people who have responded to the message of Jesus.
Just as the new piece of cloth would not suit the torn old cloak and the new wine would burst the old wineskins, so the Kingdom of God must call for a new understanding of the message of Jesus for peoples’ lives.
Christians believe that the message of the Gospel is for all people. They would claim that the Kingdom of God is open to all, regardless of race, colour or class. The Parable of the Great Banquet (14:12-24), with its emphasis on the universalism of the Gospel, is seen as being totally relevant to a modern understanding of Christianity.
Christians see, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (10:25-37), the command to treat every individual human being as a neighbour. There can be no more room for prejudice in dealing with people. It is true that history records frequent occasions when this has been forgotten and prejudice has shown itself in religious, racial and class distinctions. Christians would claim this is totally foreign to true Christianity. The claims of the Kingdom of God dictate that all people must be treated the same and held in the same esteem.
The meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool (12:13-21) is important to Christians today. Many would claim that the teaching of Jesus is still relevant and that it is virtually impossible to be totally committed to amassing wealth and serve God at the same time. Many Christians also see life as an important preparation for death. They see eternity in terms of the response made to God while on earth. In addition to this, no one can forecast the moment of death. It can come at the least expected time, as indeed, can the end of the world and the Second Coming of Jesus.
The Parable of the Sower (8:4-8; 11-15) is one of the most well known of all Parables supporting the category of ‘The Kingdom of God has arrived’. The seed falls on four different types of soil; the footpath, rocky ground, among thistles and on good soil. At first sight this may be seen as careless farming with so much seed being wasted.
The Parable, however, only makes sense when seen against the method of farming followed in Palestine at the time. Certainly some seed was wasted but this is exactly what used to happen. The sowing was done before the ploughing.
After the account of the Parable, Luke gives an allegorical meaning (8:11-15). But what would the interpretation be if that allegorical answer was not printed for all to see? It would be regarded as a simple Parable, which shows, on the one hand, the frustrations of the sower’s labouring; with its weeds, greedy birds and rocky ground; and on the other hand, in contrast to this, a picture of a rich harvest. The allegorical interpretation of the Parable is given in the Gospel. There as four such different kinds of soil representing four types of hearer of the message of Jesus.
- The unresponsive hearer
Satan carries off the word giving the person no chance to respond.
- The shallow hearer
The person who has no roots, lacking depth and persistence.
- The worldly hearer
The person who is seduced by the pleasures of the world.
- The responsive hearer
The person who, living a life of faith, obtains depth, according to his faith.
The Parable of the Sower is still relevant today. There have been many times in history when Christianity has faced extreme difficulty. Sometimes it has been persecuted or suppression. At other times it has been treated with apathy. Throughout, the Kingdom of God has not only survived but also flourished. Christians of all nations and of every colour and race have found faith in Christ to be the centre of their lives.
The allegorical interpretation of the Parable also continues to have meaning. The comparison of people with different types of soil may seem strange today but the idea of examining one’s own faith is a good one. Christians need to reflect from time to time on their faith, knowing that it is easy to be distracted from their calling to be disciples.
Another Parable in the category of the ‘Repentance and Forgiveness is the way into the Kingdom’ is the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14). The understanding of this Parable hinges on the extreme contrast made between the two characters, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
The Pharisee made people aware of his presence by standing up in full view of everybody in the Temple; boasted to God about his goodness in fasting and giving of tithes; belittled, sarcastically, all who were not like him, especially the Tax Collector.
The Tax Collector stood at the back of the Temple, his eyes downcast; confessed his failings to God and acknowledged the fact that he was a sinner; refrained from any criticism from others.
The Pharisee’s words are not even prayer. They are merely arrogant words in praise of himself. In contrast the Tax Collector shows true humility as he comes to God in prayer. He is one who is reconciled with God.
The Parable is teaching that prayer must be offered with the right spirit. This spirit must be one of humility that recognises dependence on God. In this way reconciliation to God can take place. Christians would claim that this Parable is at the very heart of the meaning of prayer. There is no place for boastfulness and smugness before God. Prayer must be approached in the right spirit of humility.
Another two Parables concerning ‘the Claims of the Kingdom’ is the Parable of the Friend at Midnight (11:5-13) and the Unjust Judge (18:1-8). The first Parable is about a person who had a friend who woke him up in the middle of the night to borrow some food because he had just received an unexpected visitor. At first the man was reluctant to help but in the end does so, not out of friendship, but because of the persistence of his neighbour.
The second Parable is about a heartless judge who grants a poor widow’s appeal, not because he cared, nor because he wished to do his job properly, but simply to keep the nagging woman quiet.
These Parables mean that God is not reluctant to answer prayer unless he is pestered. It is that God is willing to answer those who persist in prayer. He is not like the friend at midnight or the unjust judge. He will respond. Most Christians consider prayer to be important, as it is through prayer that the relationship with God can mature. They accept the teaching of Jesus:
“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (11:9-10).”
Some people claim that this is a false promise and that they have asked God but no answer has been given. Most Christians would realise that there are three answers to prayer; ‘Yes’; ‘No’ ; or ‘Not yet’. They are confident to leave all in God’s hands, knowing that he will not let them down. Even most human fathers, however evil, do not ill treat their children. So God, who is perfect, will answer all prayers in the way that is best for his children (11:11-13).
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (13:6-9) supports the category of ‘the Crisis of the Kingdom’. This is the story of a man, who noticed that the fig tree had not produced any fruit for three years. He was all for cutting the tree down but was prevented from doing so by the gardener, who requested one more year in which the tree could be nurtured. If that did not work then the tree should be cut down.
The fig tree stood for Israel. Jesus had come in search of the fruit of response to God. He found little response. Israel’s time for repentance was short. This was their last chance. The early Church would have applied this Parable to the fate of Jerusalem. The city was destroyed in AD 70 and the belief, at the time, was that the reason for this destruction was the lack of response to the message of God through Jesus. Many Christians today see, in this Parable, the importance of repentance. Repentance means to turn around; to redirect life and return to God. It is a necessary part of being a Christian.
The Kingdom of God means different things to different people. To some they see it as belonging to something as one belongs to their Parish. Others believe that you are only in the Kingdom of God if you give yourself entirely to God. The range in opinion probably stems from the fact that the Parables in Jesus’ teaching left the individual to interpret their own meaning, and it was up to them if they incorporated the teaching into their everyday lives.
In the first category, the Kingdom of God has arrived, the main points were that God is present here and now in the lives of those who have accepted the words of the Lord spoken through the Messiah. Jesus asks the people to acknowledge that the Kingdom of God has arrived and that they should all follow the new Christian teachings. Jesus assures the people that with a strong faith in God you can deal with any problems life may throw at you, he will always be there to receive your prayers and do what he know is right for you. If your faith is strong and does not falter, God can become the centre of your life. Parables in this category encourage you to examine yourself and see the strength of your own faith. Jesus also mentions in this category, some of the good, moral qualities a person should have.
As the new Christian ways were very different to how people were accustomed to living these Parables were somewhat of an introduction to the Kingdom of God. Since most Christian ways contradicted Jewish law it is not surprising that he came up against so much opposition. John the Baptist had already prepared some people for the ‘New Way’ but it was the sheer brilliance of the Messiah that converted many.
In the second category, ‘the Repentance and Forgiveness is the way into the Kingdom’, the issues of human sin and God’s forgiveness are discussed. Jesus points out that a true reconciliation with God can only be achieved if the sinner does feel sorry for the sin they have committed and is not lying to God. Another issue in this category of Parables is that the Kingdom of God and the Christian faith has no room for those who feel a superiority of their position. In God’s eyes, everyone is equal. Christians should always put others before themselves. The Kingdom of God is for all people regardless of race, colour or class. This is also apparent in the Universalism of Luke’s Gospel. If a person repents from their heart then God will forgive unconditionally. Prayer is mention in the category and partially explained. People should never be boastful, or smug towards God or your fellow man, and God and prayer should be approached with humility.
In the third category, ‘the Claims of the Kingdom’, the issues of prejudice and discrimination are raised. Jesus points out that in Christianity there is no room for these and that every human should be treated as your neighbour. Jesus also warns against bad qualities, which you should aim not to possess; dishonesty; cheating and selfishness are not the Christian way. Honesty will win you true friends and God’s approval. Jesus discusses prayer further and the answers God will give to your prayers. These Parables say that God will never mistreat you and that he will only ever answer your prayers in a way in which he knows is good for you. You should have faith in him and all his decisions for you.
In the fourth category, ‘the Crisis of the Kingdom’, physical death and the departure of your soul from the Earth are discussed. It is put obviously that the way in which you live your life on Earth decides where your spiritual self goes after mortal death. You must have led a good life on Earth and reconciled with God in order to sit with him in Heaven. You must not consider your own wealth important, as there is no room for God in your life if you are obsessed with wealth. You should never become so wealthy that you become greedy. Jesus made the people aware that death can come at anytime in your mortal life is only a preparation for death and where you shall journey to after that. Throughout your life, you should use all of the talents that God granted you with at birth. These may help you or others around you. Finally that resurrection cannot be proven to a living mortal. You must use your own faith to decide whether you believe in it or not.
A modern day Christian would argue that all the points raised in all four categories of Parables are completely useful, and highly important in their everyday lives. They all came from Parables that Jesus told during him ministry, and are what separates Christianity from all other religions and beliefs. Since Jesus was the son of God, then it is almost as if they were a direct message from him and therefore no Christian would ever doubt or question the points they make. Today Christians use the Parable messages to guide them through their everyday lives and hopefully, to Heaven to be with God for eternity.
(C) Are these Parables still relevant today?
I believe that Parables are relevant today. Not only are they relevant today, but also that almost all of them are regarded as basic human morals. Most people despite their religious beliefs recognise that cheating and lying are bad, and that generosity and love are good.
The Sermon on the Mount and many of the Parables if carried out by people of any religion could only make the World a much better place to live in.
As mentioned before, one third of Jesus’ Ministry was given in the form of Parables. If Christianity is still relevant, then so are Parables. A true Christian observes the hidden meanings behind Parables, and tries to be the ‘Worldly Hearer’ (Parable of the Sower 8:4-8; 11-5) by putting them into practice in their everyday lives. They are guidelines for how to be a true Christian, and will help you on your way to the after life in the Kingdom of God.
It is intriguing to think that Parables depend on people to think for themselves. I believe they direct us into God’s ways; the important teaching can be given to children in an enjoyable story at Sunday school. People who have connected with God’s ways can study the Parables and gain the knowledge they require to become a true Christian. Some Christians may want to explore a deeper understanding of their faith. People can enjoy the Parable; they are not just being forced to recite and followed hundred of laws, which they don’t even understand.
My opinion is that the importance of the Parables Jesus told completely overshadows the miracles which he performed during his ministry. Miracles contain no meanings or teachings. Miracles were just the compassionate feelings of Jesus.
The utter virtuosity of the Parables told by Jesus often gains peoples interest in the Christian faith. The meanings are applicable and so helpful. Faith should be acquired through understanding and not demanded by supernatural occurrences.
To the present day, the majority of people enjoy listening to a story, and many stories whether they have a religious origin or not often contain a moral or teaching of some kind. Often these stories like Parables are very memorable, which people enjoy and remember, then one day the penny drops and they grasp the meaning behind the story. These Parables often come up in everyday conversation and in this way the Good News is spread. The phrase, “the Lost Son has returned”, has been mentioned, not knowing what it really means. Many Parables are so simple that if given thought, even a child could understand them.
The meanings from the Parables Jesus told could be converted into a modern day story, and they would still contain the hidden messages which Jesus intended to spread round Israel. This shows that they are still relevant.
Parables were the words spoken through Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. I therefore believe that no matter what century or decade that one is in, Parables will always be relevant to not just Christians, but all people , and the teachings and morals provided in the hidden meanings will be valued forevermore.
