A few weeks ago I invited my readers to engage in a Sunday meditation activity. Although few replied, I nonetheless enjoyed reading your definition of 'the gospel'. In fact, I enjoy reading every comment and perspective shared on all of my posts. Thank you for making this experience so personally rewarding.
Currently I am taking a class on the parables of Jesus, and it has inspired me to ask you a question that I hope will grow into an uplifting and educational exercise. Here is the question:
What is your favorite parable of Jesus and why?
I look forward to reading your thoughtful response.
Search Ponder Pray Repeat
Most of your questions are rather open ended. This one, however, can have only one correct answer and I expect my observation to be validated by the utter lack of anyone contradicting me. The greatest parable is that of the good Samaritan. On it's very face, the parable teaches us unconditional service, the dangers of hypocrisy, the fallacy of passing judgement on others, and the risk of traveling alone. On another level, the parable is an allegory of the plan of salvation. We are all on a journey to return home and along the way we have and will fall victim to sin. Jesus who like the Samaritan, was "despised" and "rejected," binds our wounds and pays for our rehabilitation.
ReplyDeleteOther parables are pretty good, but none comes close to this one.
Ok, Ben. The Good Samaritan is one of the best! I will put it at #2. Just to be contrary, for the sake of an argument, I will offer a competitor to your Samaritan: The Prodigal Son Parable! This parable carries most of the same messages as the Samaritan, but for me has a more familial tone to it that I resonate with much more so than strangers meeting on a road. The Father Son relationship, as well as the ponderance on who is really the prodigal in the story, the one who "wasted" his time, or the one who didn't rejoice when his brother returned? The familial relationships offer more depth to the parable, leading for me more direct applications for me than the context given in the Samaritan parable. I can't help but think of my own brother and I when I read the Prodigal Son parable, as well as think about my relationship with my Father, His Perfect Son, and my imperfect fellowmen.
DeleteI won't place my favorite in competition with each of your fine nominations, but here goes:
ReplyDeleteAgain, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matt 13:45-46
For whatever reason, this has always communicated to me in the most powerful way exactly how Jesus would want me to live. First we should make an honest search for the truth (sadly I believe few people ever do this), and Secondly, once that truth is located, hold nothing back in your pursuit of obtaining that ideal... i.e. don't let personal tragedy, personal weakness, pride, wealth, immorality, addiction, sickness, cynicism, or deception of the devil keep you from buying that Pearl of Great Price. Christ has overcome them all and through Him everything impediment can be sold in exchange for that of true worth.