The Parables Jesus Told
Stories with a hook in them.
On why Jesus taught in stories.
The big idea
Jesus told stories because a story gets past your defences before you can argue.
Opening scripture
“But a Samaritan, travelling that road, came to where the man was, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion.”
What does “The Parables Jesus Told” walk through?
The Samaritan
Luke 10:33 · KJV
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
In plain English
But a Samaritan, travelling that road, came to where the man was, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion.
The Hero Is The Outsider
Jesus was asked to define neighbour and answered with a story where the good man belongs to the group his listeners despised. The story does the arguing.
One Thing Is Needed
Luke 10:42 · KJV
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
In plain English
Only one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen it. It will not be taken from her.
“A parable does not tell you what to think. It puts you inside a scene and lets you notice where you are standing.”
Where Your Treasure Is
Matthew 6:21 · KJV
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
In plain English
Wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be.
Faithful With Little
Luke 16:10 · KJV
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
In plain English
Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will be dishonest with much.
You Are In The Story
The question with any parable is which character you actually are, not which one you admire.
Pray
Jesus, let your stories get past my defences. Amen.
Write it down
In the Samaritan story, which character are you most often?
Stand in the story
Read it again and find yourself in it.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from Luke 10:33, Luke 10:42, Matthew 6:21, Luke 16:10. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- Luke 10:33
- Luke 10:42
- Matthew 6:21
- Luke 16:10
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.