Parables

This parable was told in answer to two questions: what shall I do to inherit eternal life (Lke 10:25a) ? and who is my neighbour (Luke 10:29b)? Through this parable Jesus showed the true spiritual nature of Israel at that time.

The robbery-victim (almost certainly a Jew) lay half dead on the road to Jericho. The Jewish priest and Levite refused to help; perhaps they feared it was a plot, or were afraid that they too might be robbed if they tarried. It was a hated Samaritan who came to the rescue, who applied first aid, who took the victim to an inn, and who made provision for his care. To the Samaritan, a Jew in need was his neighbor.

Then Jesus asked the question. Which of the three proved neighbor to the helpless man? The one who showed mercy, of course. Then the one who asked the questions should go and do likewise.

We can see in the priest and Levite a picture of the powerlessness of the law to help the dead sinner; the law commanded "Love your neighbor as yourself" but it did not give the power to obey. The priest and the Levite could be said to represent the nation of Israel who failed to keep God's law. Also we can identify the good Samaritan with the Lord Jesus who came to where we were, saved us from our sins, and made full provision for us from earth to heaven and through all eternity. Priests and Levites may disappoint us but the Good Samaritan never does.

The story of the good Samaritan started off to answer the question "Who is my neighbor?" But it ended by posing the question "To whom do you prove yourself a neighbour?"

The parable was told because of the attitudes of two groups of Israelites - the scribes and Pharisees. The Pharisees carefully carried out the rituals of the law while the scribe were the interpreters of the law. Both of these groups were self righteous and rejected Jesus. This parable along with the parables of the lost coin and the lost son, are rebukes to the scribes and Pharisees.

The lost refers to people of the nation of Israel.

Jesus primarily came to Israel to call them to repent:

Mat 15:24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.

Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

The only gospel that includes Jesus' parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son is the Gospel of Luke. These parables emphasize the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and God's unending love for humanity.

The audience in the parable of the rich fool in the Bible were likely Jesus' disciples and other listeners present when he taught this lesson. The parable teaches about the dangers of greed and the importance of prioritizing spiritual values over material wealth.

The Gospel of John focuses more on poetic and symbolic language to convey its messages rather than using parables like the other Gospels. John's emphasis is on revealing Jesus as the divine Son of God and exploring the meaning of faith through stories and encounters rather than traditional parables.

One example of irony in "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" is when Aksionov's wife constantly reassures him of her trust and love, only for her to eventually betray him. Another example is Aksionov's unwavering faith in God's justice and his eventual realization that justice may not come in his lifetime, despite believing in God's omniscience.

Slaves did not wear sandals so maybe by giving his son sandals the father is saying he accepts his son as a son not a servant.

It seems the lost son came home bare footed maybe his feet were sore from travel and maybe the shoes made it easier for him.

Some people say the sandals represent the christian's feet shod with the gospel of peace. I think this parable is not about lost people coming to God but about the nation of Israel coming to God so the gospel of peace interpretation is not correct.

Makar Semyonich is characterized as a wise and humble old merchant who has experienced hardship and regret in his life. He displays compassion and understanding towards others, offering forgiveness and redemption to those who have wronged him. His peaceful demeanor and resilience in the face of adversity make him a symbol of hope and an example of inner strength.

The robe symbolizes the forgiveness and acceptance of the prodigal son by his father. It represents a fresh start and being welcomed back into the family with love and grace. It signifies a new identity and status in the family.

It is believed that Jesus told around 35 parables during his ministry though they vary in number depending on the source. Of these 35 parables Jesus only gave explanations for 10 of them. These parables with explanations are as follows:

• Parable of the Sower
• Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds
• Parable of the Mustard Seed
• Parable of the Hidden Treasure
• Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
• Parable of the Dragnet
• Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
• Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
• Parable of the Good Samaritan
• Parable of the Ten Virgins

These parables and their explanations can be found in the Bible in the books of Matthew Mark and Luke.

The parable of the rainbow colors is a story by Juan M. Flavier about cooperation and diversity, often used in leadership and teamwork discussions. It can be found in some of his books on leadership, health, and social issues. You may also find it in online resources discussing teamwork and diversity.

Estevan's parable in "The Bean Trees" serves as a metaphor for the quest for freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Through the story of the caged bird that learns to sing, Estevan conveys the idea that one can find liberation by embracing their own voice and identity, even in the face of adversity. The parable highlights the themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of individual agency.

The Growing SeedMark 4:26-29

The Lamp under a BushelMark 4:21-25

New Wine into Old WineskinsMark 2:21-22

Parable of the strong manMark 3:27-27

Parable of the SowerMark 4:3-9

Parable of the Mustard Seed Mark 4:30-32

The Wicked HusbandmenMark 12:1-9

The Budding Fig TreeMark 13:28-31

The Faithful ServantMark 13:34-37

Parables are typically succinct stories that convey moral or spiritual teachings. Common concerns across parables include the importance of compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and the consequences of one's actions. They often highlight universal truths and offer guidance on how to live a virtuous life.

Parables typically convey a moral or spiritual lesson through a simple story or analogy. They often involve a familiar situation or imagery to help listeners easily grasp the deeper meaning being conveyed. Parables encourage reflection, self-examination, and a shift in perspective or behavior.

1 Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven: hearing, seeking and growing

2 Parables of loss and redemption

3 Parables about love and forgiveness

4 Parables about prayer

5 Parable about the end times

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan served Jesus' purpose to illustrate the importance of showing compassion and helping others, regardless of perceived differences or prejudices. Samaritans were seen as outcasts in Jewish society, yet the Samaritan in the parable showed kindness and mercy, emphasizing the universal message of love and care for all.

The setting in "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" contributes to the story's solemn and reflective mood. The harsh conditions of the Russian prison and the long passage of time convey a sense of deprivation and despair that influences the protagonist's journey towards forgiveness and redemption. The desolate landscape mirrors the internal struggles faced by the characters, enhancing the story's poignant tone.

I think its the Mustard Seed

In "The Minister's Black Veil," the secret of the minister's reason for wearing the veil symbolizes the hidden sins and secrets that people carry within themselves. The veil acts as a physical representation of the minister's private guilt and shame, affecting how he is perceived by the townspeople. The story explores how secrets can isolate individuals and impact their relationships with others.

The hook in "The Minister's Black Veil" is when the minister, Mr. Hooper, begins wearing a black veil that covers his face without any explanation. This mysterious and unsettling act sets the tone for the story and sparks curiosity about the minister's motives and the impact on the community.

A common interpretation is that the meal is the world and the leaven is the gospel which will be preached throughout the world until everyone becomes saved.

However leaven is always a type of sin, evil, false doctrine in the Bible. For example Jesus warned against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:6, Matthew 16:12) and the leaven of Herod (Mark 8:15). In 1Corinthians 5:6-8 leaven is defined as malice and evil.

So in this parable Jesus warns against the permeating power of evil working in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 21:33 - 39.

In this parable God is the landowner, Israel the vineyard (Psalm 80:8; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21). The hedge is the Law of Moses which separated Israel from the Gentiles and preserved them as a distinct people for the Lord. The wine-press, signifies the fruit which Israel should have produced for God. The tower suggests God's watchful care for His people. The vine-dressers are the chief priests and scribes.

Repeatedly God sent His servants, the prophets, to the people of Israel seeking from the vineyard the fruits of fellowship, holiness, and love. But the people persecuted the prophets and killed some of them. Finally, God sent His Son, saying, "They will respect My Son" (v. 37). The vine dressers (chief priests and scribes) said "This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance" (v. 38). In real life they said, "If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation" (John 11:48). And so they rejected Him, threw Him out, and crucified Him.

Parables do not usually give lessons to be learnt, they present spiritual truth illustrated by using everyday things/events. But one thing we can see from this parable people (the church) who have been entrusted with God's work should be faithful in doing God's work.

"The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne can be seen as a thematic sequel to "Young Goodman Brown" as both stories explore the concepts of sin, guilt, and the duality of human nature. While "Young Goodman Brown" focuses on the loss of innocence and the exposure of hypocrisy in society, "The Minister's Black Veil" delves into the idea of hidden sin and the isolation that comes with bearing it alone. Both stories highlight the complexities of human morality and the challenges of navigating a world tainted by sin.