Parables

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.

A prodigal husband is a term used to describe a husband who is wasteful or extravagant with money, resources, or love, often leading to financial troubles or strained relationships in the family. The term is derived from the biblical story of the "Prodigal Son," who squandered his inheritance and then returned home repentant.

The reader knows from the very beginning that Aksionov is innocent and is wrongly imprisoned.

The truth does not arrive until the very end of the story, when years later after the crime, Makar confesses and Aksionov dies a contented man. So the truth has won, prevailed

The parable of the great supper is a story from the Bible where Jesus describes a man who throws a great banquet but many of the invited guests make excuses and decline the invitation. In response, the host invites others from the streets to fill the banquet. The parable illustrates the idea that God's kingdom is open to all who accept the invitation, regardless of their status or background.

The strict application is Jewish and refers to when Christ comes "with His saints" to set up His Kingdom and punish the nations. The virgins are professing Jewish disciples. In the midst of the great Tribulation, the mid-night cry will be raised.

This can also be applied to Christians. The parable is a warning of the "Rapture" which precedes the "Revelation." The lamp is a type of God's Word and the oil of the Holy Spirit. The two classes distinguish between Possessors of Christianity and Professors of it.

Whichever application you prefer the message is the same: be ready!

The key takeaway from the parable of the sower is the importance of the receptiveness of the soil (or the heart) in determining the success of the seeds (or the Word of God). It emphasizes the need for individuals to cultivate a fertile heart to receive and nurture the teachings of God effectively.

A parable is a short, simple story that teaches a lesson. The boy who cried wolf is an example of a parable because it teaches to not lie. When a person begins to lie it is very hard to believe anything they say even when they are telling the truth. Which is why the boy who cried wolf is a great example.

"A Long Way Gone" by Ishmael Beah is a memoir, not a collection of parables. The book recounts Beah's experiences as a child soldier in Sierra Leone's civil war. It does not contain traditional parables but instead offers firsthand accounts of the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit.

The parable of the lost son teaches about forgiveness, redemption, and unconditional love. It shows that no matter how far we may stray, we are always welcomed back by a loving and forgiving father. It reminds us to show compassion and forgiveness towards others who may have made mistakes.

Many of Jesus' parable were directed at the nation of Israel as Jesus said:

Matthew 15:24 ................ "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

So these parables are not Church teaching and Church doctrine should not be based on them.

Parables are open to interpretation. For example the parable of the Lost Son is often interpreted as an example of sinners coming to salvation but the context of this parable shows it was directed at the Scribes and Pharisees and better interpreted with Israel as the Lost Son.

The parable of the net in the Bible (Matthew 13:47-50) teaches that at the end of time, God will separate the righteous from the wicked, just as a fisherman separates good fish from bad fish caught in a net. It emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life and warns of the consequences of continuing in wickedness.

The two parables unique to the Gospel of Mark are the parable of the seed growing secretly (Mark 4:26-29) and the parable of the man on a journey (Mark 13:33-37). These parables highlight themes of growth, watchfulness, and being prepared for the return of Jesus.

The parable about the two servants and a king is found in the Bible in the book of Matthew, where Jesus tells the story to illustrate the importance of stewardship and accountability.

No. There are five parables in the old Testament and some symbolic stories that are similar to parables. For example:

The parable of the poor man who had raised a single lamb which a wealthy neighbor took to set before a guest (2 Samuel 12:1-4); intended to illustrate the sin which David had committed with Bathsheba, Uriah's wife.

The parable of the wise woman of Tekoah, who induced David to make peace with his son Absalom ( 2 Samuel 12:6-8).

A parable can be found in religious texts, literature, or storytelling traditions. Look for short stories with symbolic meanings that convey moral lessons or philosophical messages, often using everyday situations or characters to illustrate deeper truths. Reading religious scriptures, fables, or works by authors known for this storytelling technique can help you find parables.