Pearl got to thinking and finally spoke, “Have you thought about bringing these stories into modern times? It might help readers to understand that the parables Jesus told are just as relevant today as they were long ago in Ancient Israel.”
“Why don’t you have the gospel writers dressed like chicken farmers? Chicken farmers are heroes to chickens because they always come out and feed the chickens and protect them from danger.”
“That’s good thinking,” I told her. “Plaid flannel will work just as well as ancient robes, and farm hats should work similarly to ancient Hebrew tallit prayer cloth with its tzitzit fringes attached to the four corners.
“Those fringes reminded the ancient Hebrew people of the commandments they had promised God to keep. The farm hats could remind people of the promises that were made to their chickens to keep them safe, healthy, and well-fed.”
“I’m loving it!” call out Pearl. “Chickens strongly believe in keeping solemn promises. Maybe the parables that were written down and remembered over all the many years were like solemn promises about what pleases God like taking good care of others.”
The gospel books written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke are often called “The Synoptic Gospels” because they are saying much the same thing with one voice. Yet each has a unique slant on their account of the Jesus and his message. Matthew presents Jesus as “My Compassionate Teacher.” Mark presents Jesus as “My Miracle Worker.” Luke presents Jesus as “My Healer of Hearts.”
The gospel book written by John is often called “The Non-synoptic Gospel” because it sounds very different and doesn’t use parables, only words that seem to do what parables do.
Of all the parables told in the synoptic gospels, there are only six parables told by Jesus that are recorded by all three synoptic gospel writers. That must point to their importance as parables.
Illustrator’s Note: Matthew, Mark, and Luke are shown in our illustration as chicken farmers because that is what Pearl wanted. As farmers, they would “Feed The Chickens!” and as parable recorders, they would “Feed The People!”
There are six parables told by Jesus that are recorded in the gospel stories written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They are shown in our illustration as chicken farmers because that is what Pearl wanted. As farmers, they would “Feed the Chickens!” And as parable recorders, they would “Feed The People!”
A Lamp on a Stand
New Cloth on an Old Garment
New Wine in Old Wineskins
The Sower
The Mustard Seed
The Tenants
There are four parables recorded in the Gospel According to Matthew and the Gospel According to Luke. This points to their importance since both writers wanted to include them and must have found them too important to leave out.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
The Yeast
The Lost Sheep
The Faithful Servant
Coming Up: We will take a look at these first two sets of parables and see what they have in common and can teach us about life in our modern times!