The Wonderous Awes (or Confusion) of Parables

In class on November 8 we discussed further into the topic of The Ends. We talked over the symbol that I'm sure the majority of us think of math when we hear the name - the parabola. Parabola's are the arched shaped lines easily given on a graphing calculator when x is squared, but in mythologies it is something "coming in off of the side". From the word parabola we can derive the word parables. According to Sexson, parables are "stories that deconstruct the point in which you expect it to make". Probably the most famous man in our history to be known for preaching mainly in parables is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. At least three of his parables were covered in class. Below I have the Bible text written for each (all from NIV).

At the Home of Martha and Mary

 ³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”    ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

   ~Luke 10:38-42

     It was pointed out in class that Mary had done "the one thing needed". In preparing for death, we are to do those things which need to be done. In the Christian belief, that major one thing is to have a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, which Mary is choosing to make in this moment over helping her sister clean. The dishes would still be there after Jesus leaves, the opportunity to listen to what he has to say would not.
     This somewhat relates to Jeremy's blog. He has discontent towards the quote "All of life is a preparation for death." He claims that everyone is in such a rush to "prepare" for things that we don't take the time to slow down and enjoy those stages in our lives. I could easily agree with this statement. The pressure to get a job and take the classes you need and get good grades and hopefully learn something with those high grades that you won't forget once the class is over has been overwhelming, especially this semester. It has not been until recent that I have been taking more time for myself and not worrying as much about classes and grades. Of course, in this plan of action caution must be taken so not to let grades slip more than they should.

The Parable of the Lost Son

 ¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.    ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
   ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.
   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
   ²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
   ²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
   ²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
   ²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
   ³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

   ~Luke 15:11-32

     This parable may have many different meanings depending on who reads it. In my opinion, the parable is referring to the father (God) and his two sons (human kind). You have the types that always follow God and those who may stray and indulge in sinful habits. But our God is a forgiving and merciful one who will gladly take back those who seek forgiveness and rejoices over every single person who does so. Because he is our Father in heaven and wants that relationship with his children (us). This is a common theme in the Bible and can actually be found in many of the parables, for example the parable of the Lost Sheep that Jerrod had mentioned in class that day.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

 ²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”    ²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
 ²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’^[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[d]”
   ²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
 ²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
 ³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii^[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
   ³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
 ³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
   Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

   ~Luke 10:25-37

    If I remember my teachings correctly, Samaritans and the Jews were not a good grounds with each other, so for this man to help a beaten and bruised man of another race was essentially unheard of. It was a bold parable for Jesus to make; especially to the expects of the Jewish Law. He was suggesting that neighbors are not only those who are next to you and friendly with, but your enemies. And loving your enemies is a tough concept to not only take in, but carry out.


I know many who wonder why Jesus talks in such confusing parables, but I believe it's cause these are the things that people remember the most. Of the people in class, how many few have actually read the Bible, yet how many know the Story of the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan? The majority may not be able to quote them back, but at least recognize them.