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 expose superiority in religiously minded people.
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.
Honestly, we would
all be so much better off if we visited these parables on a regular basis.
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The Pharisee & the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9–14)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves
that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two
men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax
collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself,
prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners,
unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I
fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But
the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven,
but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I
tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For
everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself
will be exalted.”
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test,
saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He
said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And
he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor
as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered
correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, desiring to
justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus
replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among
robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now
by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by
on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to
the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had
compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his
wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought
him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And
the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying,
‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come
back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think,
proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He
said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do
likewise.”
The Great Banquet (Luke 14:7–24)
Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he
noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When
you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of
honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and
he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this
person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But
when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host
comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in
the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For
everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be
exalted.”
12 He said also to the man
who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your
friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also
invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But
when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and
you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at
the resurrection of the just.”
15 When one of those who
reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is
everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But
he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And
at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been
invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But
they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a
field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And
another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them.
Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have
married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So
the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of
the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets
and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And
the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is
room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant,
‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house
may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who
were invited shall taste my banquet.’”
(All of the Scriptures printed above are from the English Standard Version.)