Parable is a short and simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, religious principle or moral lesson; a figure of speech in which truth is illustrated by a comparison or example drawn from everyday experiences. A parable is often no more than an extended metaphor or simile using figurative language in the form of a story to illustrate a particular truth. The Greek word for parable literally means 'a laying by the side of' or ' a casting alongside' thus, 'a comparison or likeness.' In a parable something is placed alongside something else in order that one may throw light on the other. A familiar custom or incident is used to illustrate some truth less familiar.

Although Jesus was the master of the parabolic form, He was not the first to use parables. Example of the effective use of parables are found in the Old Testament. Perhaps, the best known of these is true prophet Nathan parable of the rich man who took the one little ewe lamb that belonged to a poor man. - 2Sam. 12:1-4 - By means of this parable, Nathan reproved King David and convinced him of his sin of committing adultery with Bathsheba. - 2Sam. 12:5-15 - A wise woman of Tekoa also used a parable to convince King David to let his son return to Jerusalem.

Jesus' characteristic method of teaching was through parables. Two of His profound parables are the parable of the lost son and the parable of the Good Samaritan. - Luke 15:11-32; 10:25-27 -

Both parables illustrate God's love for sinners and God's command that we show compassion to all people. Actually, the parable of the lost son or sometimes called the parable of the prodigal son or the parable of the loving father, is the story of two lost sons: the younger son [typical of tax collectors and prostitutes] who wasted possessions with indulgent living and the older son [typical of the self righteous scribes and Pharisees] who remained at home but was a stranger to his father's heart.

Some entire chapters in the Gospels are devoted to Jesus' parables; for instance, MATTHEW 13, MARK 4 and LUKE 8. Although parables are often memorable stories, impressing the listener with a clear picture of the truth even the disciples were sometimes confused as to the meaning of parables. For example, after Jesus told the parable of the darnel or wheat, - Matt. 13:24-30 - the disciples needed interpretation in order to understand its meaning. - Matt. 13:36-43 -

Jesus sometimes used the parabolic form of teaching to reveal the truth to those who followed Him and to conceal the truth from those who did not. His parables thus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10 - Like a double edged sword they cut two ways - enlightening those who sought the truth and blinding those who were disobedient.

Most of Jesus' parables....................

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -