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The Good News Of Kingdom Values
Alright, this morning we are going to look at the good news of kingdom values.
And we are going to do that by looking 2 parables sandwiched around a challenge by Jesus to the pharisees.
The first parable we are going to look at is confusing without context.
But that’s often the way Jesus spoke.
He spoke in ways that challenged his hearers, that required careful attention to the details and the context of the parable.
So, before we dig in to the text this morning I want us to come to a better understanding of the use of parables by Jesus.
On Wednesday's we are looking at an in-depth bible study by the Bible Project on How To Read The Bible.
I want to share some from that study this morning to help us better read parable generally, and this morning text particularl.
The Bible Project - How To Read Parables
One of the most well-known and common ways that Jesus communicated was through stories, or in Greek, parabole.
Let’s dive in to learn more.
Defining the Term
In Greek, para means “alongside” and bole means “to set.”
Therefore, the word parabole refers to something that is set alongside another for comparison and contrast.
However, the meaning of our English word parable doesn’t quite allow us to understand what Jesus’ parables are all about.
Let’s take a look at the Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition:
Parable: A usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle.
This definition views parables as “illustrations” or “explanations” relating to morality or religious truth.
It assumes that there is a basic abstract idea that the parables illustrate, but this doesn’t capture how and why Jesus used parables.
Modern preaching further contributes to this misunderstanding.
The goal of preaching today is to take the listener (with a desire to learn) from a place of non-understanding to comprehen- sion.
Therefore preachers often utilize illustrations that take something unclear and make it more clear and relatable through a story.
However, parables are more than short fiction stories that Jesus used to clarify his point.
The assumption that parables are moralistic tales or theology lessons has produced wide- spread misuse of the parables in Christian teaching.
Let’s explore a few examples before we discover the true nature of parables.
Parables Are Not Short Moralistic Stories
The parable of the good samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is most often assumed to be a moralistic tale.
But is there a deeper meaning intended?
What’s the main point of this parable?
Many would summarize the passage as a story about being a good person who doesn’t neglect the hurting.
But this simplistic summary neglects the actual context and content of the passage.
What is actually going on here?
First, notice that it begins with a Torah scholar debating about the greatest commandment with Jesus.
He wants to undermine Jesus’ authority by asking, “Who is my neighbor?”
Jesus goes on to tell a story where a Samaritan, someone considered despicable by the scholar, is the hero and the religious elite figures are the villains.
It is precisely not a story about being a good person.
It’s a story meant to challenge our as- sumptions that “we” are the good people and “they” are the bad ones.
However, our lens of parables as moralistic tales may prevent us from seeing the main point.
Parables Are Not Theology Lessons
Let’s look at another parable that is often interpreted solely as a theology lesson.
The parable of the talents is found in Matthew 25:14-30.
Is Jesus trying to illustrate a theology of salvation?
Does this teach us about how we can either go to heaven or hell after death?
If we attempt to fit this parable into that grid, all kinds of theo- logical problems arise.
For example, is my salvation entirely dependent upon my performance?
Also, why does God act so harshly toward someone who is simply afraid?
This theological interpretation of the parable of the talents neglects the actual context Matthew has provided in the surrounding chapters.
This parable is actually about Jesus’ confrontation with the leaders of Jerusalem, who have squandered their chance to lead Israel toward cove- nant faithfulness.
It’s also connected with two other parables, the ten young women at the wedding and the sheep and the goats.
These parables are all about his confrontation with Je- rusalem and warning of the Day of the Lord that is coming if they don’t accept his offer of God’s Kingdom.
If we come to Jesus’ parables with this conception of “explainer stories,” we are setting our- selves up for disappointment and misunderstanding.
The Main Point Of Parables
Jesus’ entire mission was to announce and inaugurate the Kingdom of God as the climax of the covenant story between God and Israel.
The arrival of God’s Kingdom both confronted the Isra- el of Jesus’ day and comforted them after their long period of exile and oppression.
The parables are one among many ways that Jesus confronted Israel with his offer of the King- dom of God.
This is why so many of Jesus’ parables begin with the phrase “the Kingdom of God can be likened to” or contain the phrase “the Kingdom.”
Jesus is offering a kind of commentary on his own mission, clarifying what his offer of the Kingdom means, what’s at stake, and the particular moment within the long drama of Israel’s history.
Jesus’ parables are all expressions of his announcement of the arrival of God’s Kingdom and the challenge that it brought to the Israel of his day.
They are not meant to explain general theo- logical or moral truths.
They do explain Jesus’ behavior in going about announcing the arrival of God’s Kingdom, but they do so in a very cryptic and indirect way that often confused or frus- trated people.
Balanced Reading
A More Balanced Approach
Parables are extended metaphors, symbolic stories with two levels of meaning.
But the chal- lenge is in discerning what symbols are most important.
A balanced approach to reading para- bles involves developing the skill of identification of crucial and non-crucial details.
Practical Steps For Reading Jesus’ Parables
1. Pay Attention to Context
It is important to pay attention to the narrative context provided by the Gospel authors and the context of Jesus’ Kingdom of God announcement to Israel.
2. Identify the Main Characters/Objects or Indispensible Plot Elements
The most important symbols of any parable are the main characters.
Each “character” embod- ies one of the “main points” of the parable (Blomberg).
Parables typically have three, two, or one characters.
3. Discern the Parable’s Meaning vs. its Significance
The meaning of a parable is determined by Jesus’ intention as far as we can discern it given the literary, historical, and cultural context provided by the Gospel authors (E.D. Hirsch, Validity in Interpretation).
Jesus’ meaning is focused on a specific historical moment: his inauguration of God’s Kingdom and his confrontation with Israel.
The significance of a parable is about how specific aspects of the parable’s meaning strike later readers as especially important and rele- vant.
4. Brainstorm the Parable’s Significance for Audiences Beyond the Original
We should pay attention to the original context of the parables, but this does not mean they do not have wisdom to offer us today.
Take for example the prodigal son (Luke 15).
Jesus is address- ing Israel’s religious leadership accusing him of unfaithfulness to God by including sinners, tax collectors, and outsiders into his “new covenant people.”
Jesus’ response fits into his historical mission to Israel.
However, Jesus’ portrait of God can provide wisdom for later generations who deal with other socio-ethnic boundary lines.
These boundaries can still prevent Jesus’ followers from allowing God’s grace to extend to others, and the message of the parable still rings true today.
Luke 16
Alright, now that we have a basic and better understanding of how to read Jesus’ parables, lets dig in.
There are two parables in Luke 16 and the sandwich a challenge by the Pharisees.
Lets Go.
The Dishonest Manager
Now, this one, without context can be confusing.
So lets read and unpack it.
Ok.
So, is Jesus actually praising a dishonest manager?
Is Jesus actually encouraging cheating and dishonesty if you gets you ahead and saves your bacon?
I mean, that would go against everything we know about Jesus.
That would go against His teachings, Hi sermons, His religious challenges.
It would align him with the wicked.
It makes no sense.
So what is the point?
Jesus is again, challenging the hypocrite religious leaders.
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