Golden parables

After Easter and Pentecost the first Christians remained in Jerusalem enjoying their new faith but continuing with some of their Jewish practices.

For example, Peter and John still went to the temple at three in the afternoon for the Jewish prayers (Acts 3.1).

Then two events occurred which dispersed the Jerusalembased Early Church away from Jerusalem and into the neighbouring cities of Palestine and beyond.

First, in AD 45, Herod the king instigated a persecution against the Christian community. James, the brother of John, was killed and Peter imprisoned (Acts 12.1-3).

Then 20 years later the Jewish people rebelled against Rome and the bloody five-year Jewish War erupted.

This conflict would end with the horrible destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

These two events, especially Herod’s persecution of the church, scattered the Christian communities. Communications between cities and communities were very difficult.

Letters were delivered by hand, information exchanged by word of mouth.

There were no telephones, smart phones, television, computers, emails. Furthermore, the gospel message about Jesus had not been completely written down.

So Christian groups took their own accounts of Jesus, his teaching and healing wherever they went.

One unknown Christian community must have retained its own tradition.

And in that tradition the community preserved golden parables. These parabolic treasures are found only in Luke’s gospel.

They are the great parables of the lost coin, the prodigal son, and the good Samaritan.

As Willie Barclay once wrote, just imagine how poor our Bible would be without these beautiful parables.

These parables tell us so much about Jesus’life and mission, passion, death and resurrection.

They teach us so much about God’s presence, rule, and power in the world.

In other words,about the Kingdom of God.

The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15.11-24) has been described as the greatest short story ever written. It is the story of the father, his broken heart with his son, his patient waiting for the erring son, and his unbridled joy when his tramp-like boy returns. It is a wonderful lesson teaching us of God’s love for us, for we are all prodigal children.

Karl Barth uses this parable to describe the mission of Jesus Christ to save the lost souls of men and women.

Barth speaks of the third son who went into the Far Country to rescue the lost children of men.

The parable of the prodigal son tells the gospel story.

Jesus was once asked by a lawyer about eternal life. Jesus replied that a person must obey God and love his neighbour.

To which the lawyer replied: “Who is my neighbour?”(Luke 10.25-28).

Jesus responded with that glorious parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10. 29-37).

At the heart of this lovely parable is the picture of God whose healing love and forgiving grace breaks down every barrier, heals every broken soul, and wishes to renew every man, woman and child.

No volume of theology has described our Father God and God’s saving work as eloquently as does the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Here in glorious colours and moving words the kingdom of God is portrayed before our soul’s wondering eyes.

The third and final parable unique to Luke’s gospel is the parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15.8-10).

It is the shortest of the three and often overlooked for its brevity. But it is so intimate and touching.

The social conditions, rights and status of women in these days were appalling.

But a woman’s wedding coins were her inalienable possession.

Even if her husband and family fell into debt and were sold into slavery a woman’s wedding coins remained her possession.

So when she lost one of these coins she turned the house upside down.

She is over the moon when she finds it.

“Even so there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15.10).

That is how God feels towards us.

Like the woman, God spared no effort to find us. The Cross is full proof of God’s efforts. God is so happy when a lost soul comes home. That is the dynamic force of the kingdom of God.

“My son was dead but is now alive, was lost but now is found” (Luke 15.24).