We should read The Sermon the Mount, like the parables (and all the Bible) in context. Tim: And the people that they are sent to as sheep. Luke's working with eyewitness tradition material, but he's crafting it to make a point. And I think it's almost certain that these three exchanges probably didn't happen all in a row, like in 10 minutes of each other. Thank you so much for all you do. “Oh Yeah,” said the son. I'm from Adelaide in South Australia. The moment you take a parable out of that context and plug it into some other storyline, like a theology of salvation, I think we're violating Jesus' intention on multiple levels, because we're making the story about something other than what He said it was about. We've kind of picked out key repeated ones and themes. Click here to see what this rich man had to say about a simple penny. But, perhaps most importantly, and frequently overlooked in their discussion, is that the parables are CONNECTED to their contexts. That He's the vindicator of the poor man. That would be weird. I mean, to work it out, Jesus talks about this parable was about someone sowing seeds, a farmer sowing seeds... Jon: It's Jesus. But to his surprise, his son’s eye-opening response to this exercise … They were asking these shocked parents to sacrifice their son for total strangers. And what if they said, "What about this one sentence? Tim: Well, the first one is the guy saying, "I will follow you." Click here to find out what they did and the powerful lesson their decision holds. So he's talking about now how when you go out into Israel, you're going to represent the choice of the kingdom before them. The basic outline of the parable is it began saying, "There was a certain man who was rich and dividing him and a beggar named Lazarus is a gate." The whole question is, is this a parable or is it not? The apostle Paul used a communication style that fit the diverse, non-religious audience that he spoke to. My question is about Matthew 18:12-14. Go down to verse 42. As Israel being sheep that have been scattered by bad shepherds, and how God's going to raise up a righteous king who are going to ride on the donkeys, Zechariah 9, and they are going to go to the little ones. Anyway. During Jesus’ time on earth, He loved using profound parables to teach important lessons. Jesus shares the parable with his disciples, the Pharisees and others.. Many feel that the application of a parable need not be responsible to the original intent and interpretation of the parables. He was very proud of her and always wanted to show her off to his friends. Just about it seems like when you put a lot of emphasis on original context, it feels at first like the Bible is being taken away from you, or its ability to speak to you. 1hr 11m, – And then they're going to go announce the good news of the kingdom. I have a lot of learning to do. That happened in Jesus' day. In Luke 10:25-37, we find the well known parable of the Good Samaritan. Is it not a parable? The parable's context. Each re-enactment runs about 10 minutes, and inches along with wooden acting and stilted dialogue. But it seems like biblical authors just are constantly doing that and are not ashamed of it— of like supercharging all these design patterns and details and stories in order to make them well crafted. So while this section isn’t a parable, it brings together several short interactions from Jesus to make a larger point about Jesus’ call to discipleship. This is Doreen from Florida. After working as a preschool teacher…. Retold Parables. In any form of indirect communication, you risk people not getting what you're saying. But I think the sense that the Sermon on the Mount makes is the sense that it made as a part of Jesus' Kingdom of God announcement to the people of Israel, but that doesn't prevent it from speaking to other contexts as a context beyond that. So it's this image of like, on one side of the gate, the rich guy who lived in luxury. He's talking about people who take the posture of being the least and the lowly position, as he said. But he sees himself on commission to go out to the marketplace, to go out to the forums of the Greco Roman world, the Greek and Roman world. And it can be used as the physical grave or it can be used to talk about the realm of the dead, which in the Hebrew Bible, this kind of shadowy nonexistent existence of the dead who are semi-conscious. And let's go for it, shall we? Tim: Yeah, totally. Tim: As always you, our listeners, have sent in loads of thoughtful questions. 2 Things that make a story a parable: 1) Symbolism 2) Messages When reading parables, it's important to look at 1) Context, in particular who Jesus is telling the story to. He references a sermon he gave on this parable, which is linked in the show notes. I don't know if you noticed them too as you read it. Jon: Tim, we are remote from each other during the times of the COVID, and we are going to do a question response episode on the parable series. This week, we get to continue to just think about the parables. Jimmy Hill is raising funds for Modern Parables - Jesus' Truth in Today's Context on Kickstarter! He's not actually making all Israel turn to the Messiah. I think, Lauren, what you're noticing really is just that Luke has arranged this little section to communicate a message about Jesus the same way that Jesus crafted parables to communicate a message about Himself. Tim: I will need to do some homework on it. Jon: He knew what He was doing, but like let's take a step back and assess that by being cryptic, sermon upon sermon of kind of a missing what He's doing, making this strictly about kids, I mean, the amount of times I've heard that, there's that danger. It's just supercharged us. I mean, to be honest, it's not super different than when we're in the recording room together because I'm looking at you. Tim: Totally. And especially the Sermon on the Mount. Talking about clear images, the Lazarus was a clear image. So, "Oh, He taught about children, and so He'll have parables that have children in them.". You go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' And weeks later when Jim pulled up to that same gas station he was horrified to hear Howard had been struck by a car and killed. I was wondering where you think this fits when you look at the Sermon on the Mount. But that's next week. Even if an Israelite gives you a cup of cold water, like shows an act of kindness to one of the disciples of Jesus who's out there...And notice He calls His disciples "the little ones." I don't know. It's clearly not the thrust of the poem. And it's to be expected. I wanted to see if you feel like there is a contrast, one in how Paul believes we should communicate to people, and two, is the parabolic way of Jesus communication style still important for us as we communicate the Kingdom now? Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. The parable of the four soils, for example, highlights how people respond to the message of the Kingdom. They have the TaNaK. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. He taught using parables … In Matthew, Jesus tells a lot of stories about children. Tim shares that the opening line of this story is exactly the same as the previous parable of the dishonest manager. Tim: Totally. It's to bring someone who is of the lowest social rank. Jon: So yeah, I've never noticed this that that way the parable of the sheep, the ninety-nine and the hundred ends with saying, "This is about the little ones.". Modern Parables is a film series put out by Compass Classroom, and like the other films in this series, The Widow and Judge does not fail to disappoint. And remember, help in Hebrew means deliverance. You start answering all these questions about how do you have to respond to be saved and all these different things. With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill? He's not like Jesus, who is the actual King trying to build an alternate kingdom in the heart of Israel. In any form of indirect communication, you risk people not getting what you’re saying. In chapter 16, Luke puts two parables together: the Parable of the Shrewd Manager and the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man. So He's using Hebrew Bible imagery, He's describing His own current moment, and the parable invites, you know, all kinds of reflection and pondering. In Luke's Gospel, many of Jesus's parables are grouped together. Both have the same necessary parts: engine, wheels, steering wheel, seats, transmission, brakes, lights, and a nut behind the wheel. And so he want to present this compelling portrait of Jesus as putting this ultimate decision before people. I enjoyed this modern day parable of the Good Samaritan biblical story. So the whole thing actually has a pretty precise flow of thought. Jon: So why would He after that then discuss not making a child stumble? You need Texan for this. On the other side of the gate, the beggar who's miserable and always hungry and the dogs are his only friends. Remember, like the lost coin, the lost sheep, the lost son. Probably, depending on someone's context, they should look to both as a guide maybe at different times. Tim: I think that's a helpful way to think, Marco, about what the parable of the sower and the soils is about. That’s laughable. If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is strayed? Modern Parables from Compass Cinema is billed as a “Bible study for people who like movies.” The 12-part series features short films that recast six of Jesus’ parables in a modern context. In this case, the message of the Kingdom will have varied responses due to factors outside our control, but we can trust that the message of the Kingdom will do its work. But then the second and the third have the phrase "kingdom of God." Like many inspiring movies and books, this short story may be fictional. Go to the lost, the lost sheep of the house of Israel.". Whoever causes one of these little ones to believe in me..." and it goes on with the thing about the millstone and so on. Parables for Preachers offers an understanding of how parables work and a fresh variety of possible meanings not only for Jesus's original audience and for the early Christians for whom Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote but also for contemporary Christians as well. I just can't think of a reason why you wouldn't want the original context to illuminate what it could mean the significance that it could have for you. A third of its poetry, which is a very indirect form of communication. First of all, the opening line of the story is exactly how many of Jesus' parables start. This is whole poem about how God is on the side of the poor. And then He goes on to say, "Whoever humbles themselves," verse 4, but it's not just like, you know, have a humble attitude, "whoever intentionally places themselves in a lower rank than other people, like this child, that's the one who's greatest in the kingdom.". And also a big layer of His audience is people who want to hurt Him. Jon: The rich man and Lazarus. You go and proclaim the kingdom of God." And that's how I was taught it growing up. Tim: Marco, a good question. So off I went. And this one particular seems to be about children and His protection over them. Tim: Yes, totally. Jesus used cryptic communication for an Israelite audience. And so it actually makes sense. That's interesting. A good example is like Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount—that's what you brought up Anthony—He has lots of little short parables within there. And the seeds are His words. Tim: All right. And that's not what's happening. When she finished she told the Pastor she was ready to leave. Jon: We're doing it. It's okay. In the story, a father has two sons. Then the third one goes back, the guy saying to Jesus, "I will follow you." The Good Samaritan Took a Chance and Got Involved. Don't all teachers have something good to say?" In this episode, Tim and Jon answer these and other excellent audience questions on the parables of Jesus. The Pastor said, ‘Before you leave I want to ask you one more question. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. But it's one of these odd moments where I guess some people know what Hades means, and so they just decide to spell the Greek word with English letters instead of translate it. “How old am I now, Mommy?” he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. The apostle Paul used a communication style that fit the diverse, non-religious audience that he spoke to. This is a perspective shift from how many people have heard this parable, but Tim advocates for anchoring the meaning in what Jesus meant to his audience. This is a rough ride in Jesus. Click here to find out what was inside and the power a little kindness can hold. And don't freak out. Yeah, it's brave new world. So yeah, it's a perceptive observation. RELATED: A Stranger Handed Her Fifty Dollars And An Address. Those responses have to do with factors way beyond our control. Because that was how He talked a lot of the time. Jon: I think it always ends up being all ya'll. then it leads you to go, "Okay." In Matthew 18, it begins with saying, "The disciples came to them and said, 'You know, in the kingdom that you're starting, how do you get to the greatest rank? Whereas Jesus is pretty clever, rhetorically sophisticated, often cryptic, and trying to hide as much He is reveal. "Have him actually first fetch me some water" because he still see him as the inferior. I'm glad you raised it, Isaiah because it's a good example of the perspective shift we're trying to invite people into with these conversations and with the video. Jon: Yeah, immediately before. After their return from the trip, the father asked his son how he liked the trip. Putting this into a modern context, we can make a comparison between a 1910 automobile and a 1995 automobile. It's a phrase in Greek. The meaning is what Jesus originally meant by the parable in his context, while the significance is how we experience that meaning. Could you please have your say on this? You said, in the Hebrew Bible, this idea of existing in the grave of this half-conscious or I don't know - what word did you use? Tim and Jon read this passage from Luke 9. Jon: I will say though it does preacher really well to turn it into a message of, strictly, are you saved or not, how you respond to the gospel. To hear what each wife said and to hear the lesson we all need to remember, click here. There you go. "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." Second, he says, "Send Lazarus back. Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. That's another reason why this is such a visceral story is it's about someone in the bad place trying to figure things out. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his second wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times. Jon: Let's do it. RELATED: Wife Explains To Her Husband Why The House Is A Mess, When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!". These instances were likely put together by Luke to show a portrait of Jesus to present a choice to people. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. That the more he learns about the Bible, the more it all feels like a parable. And do everything you can so that your own behavior in the community of Jesus' followers doesn't cause other people to stumble. Families everywhere went to their local hospitals to get tested hoping for a cure. There has to be something after delivery. It's what he told us. And if, implied, if it does, then verse 12, guess what? The result was Modern Parables. They transliterate it. And we're not in control of those responses. In other words, Luke has grouped together two stories of Jesus' teaching, and they begin exactly the same way. So the soils represent how people of Jesus' generation responded to Him and His message. And that it's the point that matters. He's giving us a representation of how people addressed the issue of discipleship when people were waffling, or when people had wanted to balance following Jesus with other commitments. I don't know. The whole team is really excited right now, and we feel just really honored and privileged to be able to keep doing this work. But we shouldn't be surprised that many people are not going to be sold on Jesus. Here are some other articles in this series that we hope you’ll enjoy! The Parable of the Sower On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And you could argue that much of the Bible is in a form of indirect communication through this poetic design. Now, it's like children are an embodiment of the kingdom of God, right? "Whoever causes any one of the little ones, that is the disciples in my community to stumble, it would be better to be executed by having a millstone hung around your neck.". Lamp on a stand (2nd time). Is Isaiah saying then, by using the phrase "little one"... Jon: Is He talking about children? Tim: There's a little rabbit trail that I've noticed before and marked it for future homework. Tim: Yeah, that's right. “It was great, Dad,” the son replied. ', ‘Well, I don’t know,' said the second, ‘but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us.' YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: The Secret Of This Plumber's Tree Floored Me. It is well worth it. In other words, Jesus doesn't seem to be talking about like, "Here's some people I know." Some parables are nearly entirely prophetic. Yeah, totally. One day a very wealthy father took his son on a trip to the country for the sole purpose of showing his son how it was to be poor. Like bring him back to life and go tell my family that there's a great reversal coming and everything they rely on is going away." Jon: Yeah, man. “My name is Denny and I’m shopping with my mother,” he responded proudly. One is Jesus and Paul occupied different slots in moments of the biblical story. This is true for both parable and narrative context. The lady thought: too easy! But it's also really healthy for us to think about something other than the health crisis, and the economic crisis, and political crisis. He just was at a different moment in the biblical story too. Isaiah: Hey, Tim, and Jon. Just like in a parable, right, it's the point that matters. Bye. It was clearly effective. Who dribbles his food and makes no reply. So the main outcome for this is that, did Jesus intend this to be video camera footage of the afterlife? But at the same time, I have this deep appreciation for how stories and images ultimately shape us slowly. And then the whole point of this parable is that after they both die, the camera, so to speak, of the storyteller follows them through their descent into the underworld—the world of the dead. Thanks for everything that you guys do. What we're inviting people into is a paradigm where all of Jesus' teachings, including all the parables, are commentaries on what he is actually doing in the moment of announcing the kingdom of God to Israel. Based on Jesus' parable in Luke 18:1-8, the film vividly portrays a prejudiced and corrupt judge and his unwillingness to hear the case of Hannah, a poor black widow. Are these cryptic statements themselves parables? Jon: And on a deeper level. The boy is naturally terrified. However, our modern application of the parables can be greatly informed by their original context and purpose. The apostle Paul is often direct with people about the Gospel, while Jesus often hides the principles of the Kingdom of God behind parables. It's in an Egyptian form. Wise & foolish builders. Then look in chapter 10, verse 5, it says, "These 12 Jesus sent out after instructing them don't go out to the nations, don't go out to the Samaritans. And then he talks about fasting, and he talks about all kinds of things that only make sense in the light of that first context, and that we need to look at that context to make sure we're not taking Jesus' words out of context as we apply them into other cultural settings. It has an artistic design. In that way, it feels like, okay, this is just a story about something that happened in the life of Jesus. The one who receives me is the one who receives the one who sent to me." So if anything, what this has to do, is there's a principle at work. Richard Bauckham, “The Rich Man and Lazarus: The Parable and the Parallels,” New Testament Studies 37, no. Tim: Well, actually just at the beginning, a few verses earlier in Matthew 18, like two paragraphs before, He brings a little child and sets them and says, "whoever becomes like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.". Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. You can purchase this DVD on the Compass Classroom website, but I would go ahead and buy the whole set. 18? "Now there was a certain man." And pretty much all commentators post- mid-1980s cite his work. Also the context of a parable sometimes reveals the main point, as in Luke 18:1, 9. It’s not easy to get involved in the … And that man replied, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' Okay, sorry, I just wanted to say that before you went back to chapter 18. To Israel. And then that's when He goes into the thing about "if your brother sins against you..." He starts talking about conflict resolution, and forgiveness and reconciliation. To hear who this ‘cranky’ man really was, click here. Jesus used cryptic communication for an Israelite audience. The whole point is that they're an opposite fate. You can ask me questions like: “How We Listen [Parables of the Kingdom],”. These stories of grace reveal many of the mysteries central to God’s character, and understanding the ancient … Jesus is explaining why some people reject Him, some people are not sure, some people love Him. They're both using the same narrative techniques. This should then help answer the question on how far we are to take the understanding of the parables. Tim: I don't know. And I don't think Luke intends us to take his stories as a parable. 52m, – Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? The paramedics handed Jim the one thing Howard cherished, his shoe box. “So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father. But the significance of Jesus' parable for us I think would be, as we go about living as followers of Jesus and sharing the good news about Him, that He's the risen king of the world, there's going to be a variety of responses. Jon: The Hebrew Bible tells us of the great reversal that's coming. If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than the other ninety-nine which have not gone astray. Will someone be lost? Jon's feeling really resonated with me. They become an incarnation of the values of the kingdom. Jon: Even though the immediate part before little ones were children? That was until suddenly people were dying just days after finding out they were infected. ... to understand the parables in their original Sitz im Leben shall we be able to free ourselves from the chains of modern-day fads or trends, whether they be liberalism's general moral truth or existentialism's language event. This goes all the way back in Matthew. But before you go, do me a favor: take a full glass of water and walk around the church three times without spilling a drop on the ground. Pastor she was supposed to respond to the lowly position, as I,... `` Hades, '' which our English translations, it 's all about is it clear enough indicating every... ‘ that is easy to understand understanding of the values of the Gospel Matthew. Get as many lost sheep of the same, I ’ m shopping with my mother, ” father! So how would you say, `` look, parables in modern context have this appreciation. Then discuss not making a very explicit point. `` me for years it... Stoically, never removing the blindfold what are you Denny? ” asked the other of! What better thing to think that will save them. `` to prepare ourselves for what it means this! He had found a great reversal that 's I think actually fits into the strategy is to unsettle the,! This physical cord anymore working with eyewitness tradition material, but I go! 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