Our constant
assertion is that Jesus is the cure for jackassery. And since we all have an
inner (and often an outer) jackass, we all need Jesus. One way to soak in more
of the ways of Jesus is to consider the parables. The three parables listed
below all address grace, forgiveness, and love.
As we noted in
talking about Three Parables on Superiority, each parable functions as a
picture, a mirror, and a window. As a picture, the story of the parable shows
us something about what happens or has happened. As a mirror, we look at the
parable long enough and we begin to see ourselves reflected in it. We see where
we fit within it; we see the challenge it offers to us. And finally as a
window, the parable provides a pane through which we can view the world. It has
explanatory power in seeing how the world or the kingdom or humanity or God
himself works.
The parables are
stories Jesus told that help us see the beauty, mystery, and power of his
kingdom. Their meaning can often be grasped quickly, though they reward
contemplation. Take your time as you read these parables. Let the stories live
in your imagination and shape your heart. Let them strip away the jackass until
all that’s left is the words, works, and ways of Jesus.
We would all be so
much better off if we visited these parables on a regular basis.
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The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, & the Prodigal
Son (Luke 15)
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to
hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This
man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this
parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one
of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the
one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays
it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls
together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I
have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be
more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous
persons who need no repentance.
8 “Or what woman, having ten
silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house
and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she
calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have
found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy
before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
11 And he said, “There was a
man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided
his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son
gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he
squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent
everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15
So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who
sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed
with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to
himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough
bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my
father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before
you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of
your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while
he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran
and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I
have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called
your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the
best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his
feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and
celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost,
and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in
the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and
dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these
things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your
father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and
sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out
and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many
years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave
me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when
this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you
killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are
always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to
celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was
lost, and is found.’”
The Two Debtors (Luke 7:36–50)
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went
into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And
behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was
reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of
ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet,
weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair
of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now
when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this
man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who
is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And
Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he
answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had
two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When
they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love
him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose,
for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged
rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said
to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water
for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her
hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time
I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You
did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved
much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And
he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then
those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this,
who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your
faith has saved you; go in peace.”
The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21–35)
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my
brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus
said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of
heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his
servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was
brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And
since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and
children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So
the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I
will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the
master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But
when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed
him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay
what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and
pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He
refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When
his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and
they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then
his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all
that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And
should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And
in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his
debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to
every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
(All of the Scriptures printed above are from the English Standard Version.)
