A
JESUS – ‘THE PARABLE’
A parable is a story or sign that declares the presence of the Kingdom of God and this announcement can cause a clash with the audience. Dialogue with the parable urges the reader to come to a fresh understanding and make a new response to God, here and now.
Jesus is the ‘first parable.’ He declared the presence of God’s reign in the world. All who encountered him also met the conflict he constructed with his world. They saw that he encouraged a new understanding of human life and were challenged to embrace that vision and participate in the new endeavour.
Jesus’ life and mission, declaring the presence of the Kingdom of God, here and now, created many clashes with the people of his day, especially the religious authorities
JESUS PREPARATION FOR HIS LIFE AS A ‘PARABLE’
Jesus began his life as a parable with several strategies:
KNOWLEDGE OF THE COVENANT
- Jesus studied and prayed over the scriptures
- Jesus reflected upon the story of the Covenant God had with Israel.
- Jesus remembered his own extended family story
UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEW CONTEXT THE COVENANT ENCOUNTERED
- Jesus carefully observed his society, especially its injustices
- Jesus saw that God’s Reign demanded an immediate response: he had to act, here and now.
FORGING A NEW INTERPRETATON OF THE COVENANT
- Jesus’ awareness of the signs of the times and signs of the kingdom.
- Jesus experienced a special commissioning at his baptism (Mark 1:9-13).
- He carefully prepares his strategy: he displays charity to all, constantly forgives, begins building a new society, braces himself for the coming opposition, and is persistent about God’s Reign.
FOUR PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS
There were the four provocative actions, or parables, Jesus performed to herald God’s Reign:
Clash One
Jesus dined with outcasts and sinners. He openly shared a table with all comers. His dining became a ‘parable of inclusiveness.’
Clash Two
Jesus disregarded some elements of a religious convention of Sabbath observance. He preached that God is present to all: you don’t need a broker, agent, priest, law or sacrifice to be in contact with God. Jesus life became a ‘parable of God’s presence available to all.’
Clash Three
Jesus gathered together a symbolic group of disciples. In this assembling of very diverse disciples there was an all-embracing acceptance of each person. This group around Jesus became a ‘parable of social and political equality.’
Clash Four- the big one
Jesus provocatively cleared the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the most powerful demonstration of his conviction that God’s reign was here. This clash caused his trial and death. He saw himself as fulfilling a prophesy of the prophets. His action was a ‘parable of God’s reign demanding action.’
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THE 10 PRECEPTS OF GODS REIGN THAT JESUS LIVED AND PREACHED
JESUS – the Parable- DECLARES THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS HERE
- GOD’S REIGN DEMANDS CAREFUL PREPARATION, STUDY and INSIGHT
Jesus’ Insight: Study And Prepare - GOD’S REIGN IS GOD’S WORK, IT IS HIDDEN AND IS EVERYWHERE
Jesus’ Insight: Be aware that it is all God’s work - GOD’S REIGN IS GROWING HERE AND NOW IT HAS BEGUN TO TAKE A PERMANENT PLACE OR ITSELF IN THE CURRENT WORLD
Jesus’ Insight: God’s reign is here and now - GOD’S REIGN DEMANDS OUR RESPONSE, OUR ACTION
Jesus’ Insight- do something! Be provocative! - GOD’S REIGN INVOLVES HUMAN PERSONS AND TANGIBLE SITUATIONS
Jesus’ Insight: The Kingdom of God addresses all elements of human life - GOD’S REIGN DISPLAYS CHARITY TO ALL – a table shared with all
Jesus’ Insight: Showing charity to all is the cornerstone of God’s Kingdom - GOD’S REIGN CONSTANTLY FORGIVES
Jesus’ Insight: practice permanent forgiveness - GOD’S REIGN BUILDS A NEW SOCIETY
Jesus’ Insight: start the new society now - GOD’S REIGN ENCOUNTERS STRIDENT OPPOSITION
Jesus’ Insight: anticipate the opponent to God’s reign - GOD’S REIGN IS PERSISTENT
Jesus’ Insight: do not be afraid, don’t give in
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JESUS PARABLES TAUGHT THE 10 PRECEPTS OF GOD’S REIGN-
1 GOD’S REIGN DEMANDS CAREFUL PREPARATION, STUDY and INSIGHT
The 10 Bridesmaids –
Jesus’ Insight: Study And Prepare
This parable clashes with the complacent who wait to see what happens!
2 GOD’S REIGN IS GOD’S WORK; IT IS HIDDEN AND IS EVERYWHERE
The Seed – Silently growing in the Field- It is God’s work not the farmers
This kingdom comes and grows of itself, untouched by human hands through God’s free activity
The Lamp – It heralds to the world God’s presence and power, it is not hidden?
The kingdom is moving towards humankind, without forcing them to accept it.
Jesus’ Insight: Be aware that it is all God’s work. These parables clash with the idea that God is not working everywhere in the world.
3 GOD’S REIGN IS GROWING HERE AND NOW. IT HAS BEGUN TO TAKE A PERMANENT PLACE FOR ITSELF IN THE CURRENT WORLD
The Mustard Seed – growing beyond imagining – Twist –It is taking over, out of control.
The Treasure – It is found by a fluke, sell all to have it
The Pearl – It is found by hard work and years of diligent attention –Twist- then what?
Jesus’ Insight: God’s reign is here and now.
These parables clash with the idea that God’s real work was in the past or is in the future, but not now! Not in this world, this school, this situation.>
4 GOD’S REIGN DEMANDS OUR RESPONSE, OUR ACTION
The Two Sons – not saying stuff, doing things
Jesus’ Insight- Do something! Be provocative!
This parable clashes with the concept that words are the most important things in life. What we say is who we are, not what we do!
5 GOD’S REIGN INVOLVES HUMAN PERSONS AND TANGIBLE SITUATIONS
The Labourers in the Vineyard- the problem of payment for a task
Jesus’ Insight: The Kingdom of God addresses all elements of human life.
This parable clashes with the sense that there are some special religious ‘God issues’ in life and that every human difficulty is not part of our dialogue with God!
6 GOD’S REIGN DISPLAYS CHARITY TO ALL – a table shared with all
The Good Samaritan – love of enemies- disregard for religious conventions
The Lost Sheep – search for the marginalized a
The Wedding Feast – invite the outcast
Jesus’ Insight: Showing charity to all is the cornerstone of God’s Kingdom.
These parables clash with a notion of the outsider, the foreigner and the refugee being part of our world. Security and separation from the migrant keeps us safe!>
7 GOD’S REIGN CONSTANTLY FORGIVES
The Prodigal Son – reaches out with compassion, lays aside the conventions
The Unforgiving Debtor – We have been forgiven first
Jesus’ Insight: practice permanent forgiveness
These parables clash with the view that there is a limit to forgiveness: once a line is crossed that is it, we are finished with that person!
8 GOD’S REIGN BUILDS A NEW SOCIETY
The Talents – Not beholden to the economic plans of others
Jesus’ Insight: start the new society now
This parable clashes with the accepted conventions of making money.
The servant who hid the talents challenges the idea of making interest on investments, a plan that deprives other people of wealth>
9 GOD’S REIGN ENCOUNTERS STRIDENT OPPOSITION
The Darnel –The enemy plots against God’s plan
The Sower – There are three types of soil that stymie God’s Reign
Jesus’ Insight: anticipate the opponent to God’s reign
These parables clash with belief that the kingdom will be smooth sailing, that most people will buy the ‘love of God and neighbour’ idea.
10 GOD’S REIGN IS PERSISTENT
The Unjust Judge – Warning! This parable contains strong language.
Jesus’ Insight: do not be afraid, don’t give in!
This parable clashes with the opinion that God’s reign can be attained with one effort. That the kingdom is gained with one attempt, one draft, one email.
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THE ‘WHAT IF’ LINES
Jesus did not want people to miss the best in life: God’s love and care. He knew that many people don’t like a clash; it’s too scary and destabilizes them too much! They are far more comfortable with ‘what if’ lines than taking a frightening step into Thy-will-be-done.
Jesus challenged everyone who shirked the message of God’s kingdom of love. He came to bring the fullness of life, and did not want to leave people with ‘What if’ lines:
What If Your Heart Rests Next To The String But The Arrow Never Flies?
Jesus wanted people to embrace the ETERNITY God offers.
What if there are ‘traces of eternity’ in your life and you never sense them?
He taught them to ENQUIRE ABOUT THE TRUTH
What if everything that is “really real” you never inquire about it?
He encouraged them to READ THE MESSAGE
What if there is a ‘continuous message’ being formed out of the stillness and you never read it?
He called them to WALK IN THE LIGHT
What if the air is open to a more penetrating light and you never walk in it?
He told people not to be afraid of THEIR TASK
What if you are too scared of the ‘towering purpose in your life’ that is so close to you: in your room, your school, your suburb?
He told people not to be afraid of THEIR HEART
What if your heart extends past you and you hold back its reach?
He wanted people to LISTEN FOR NEW SOUNDS OF GOD IN THE WORLD.
What if there are new vibrations to charm and help you and you’re never empty enough to hear them?
Jesus called people to LET GO OF THE BAGGAGE.
What if you can’t let ‘flutter into space’ all the false things that you adhere to?
Jesus was always conscious of the Being that sustained all being
What if you keep your awareness of God banished to your boundaries?
Jesus wanted people to be THEIR TRUE SELVES.
What if what is “most your own draws away from you” and you never follow it?
Jesus called people to ACCEPT THEIR DIVINITY
What if you can’t ‘bear the terror’ of being your divinely created self?