2 of 12

Write now Article Tools

Sometimes it is necessary to give a message indirectly in order for it to be effective. Sometimes it is necessary to give a message indirectly in order to avoid open confrontation with opponents. Sometimes it is necessary to give a message indirectly in order to get people to shift their thinking enough to make new connections. Jesus used parables for all these reasons and more.

The parables, like poetry, dreams, or other wisdom sayings are potent forms of discourse because they can be interpreted on many levels. They were relevant for the people who heard them from Jesus' mouth. They were relevant for people who heard them from the mouths of the first disciples. They are just as relevant today. If Jesus had spoken plainly about taxes, or faith, forgiveness, or the power of God in specific terms it would be easier for us to ignore. We could say his teachings were good and true for that time and place. We could say things are different now. Jesus told stories about everyday circumstances. Yes, sometimes we need to know more about those cultural settings to really understand the parable's meaning. However, most of the time, we get it; even if we don't keep sheep or bury treasure in the back yard.

It is important to distinguish between a parable and an allegory. In an allegory each person or thing in the story represents someone or thing in life. A king might be God. A faithful servant might be the people of Israel, and so forth. In a parable, while one might lean towards such identifications, the weight of interpretation falls upon the principle of How much more? It is the message of the story as a whole that counts more than its individual pieces. If such and such is true in this story, how much more is it true in the Kingdom of God?

If a mustard seed, which is small as seeds go, grows into a plant that is extra large for a shrub, how much more will faith grow into huge results. If a farmer plants knowing some seed will be wasted because he also knows most will give him a huge return, how much more will the Kingdom of God flourish.

Sometimes the parable's role is to ask a more direct question in answer to a question. Some one asked Jesus, Who is my neighbor? Jesus told a parable and asked how does a neighbor act? Someone else asked who is justified before God;? Jesus told a parable about a self righteous rich person and a humble sinner. The parable asks with whom is God more pleased?

The genius in the parables is that they are just as thought provoking and challenging to you and me as they were to shepherds and Pharisees two thousand years ago.

Learn more about this author, Geoffrey Schmitt.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The role of parables in the Bible?
We want to hear your view. Write now!