Parables are not simply teachings on what the Kingdom of God is LIKE; they are an invitation into Kingdom LIVING.
We know that God is Spirit and is neither male nor female. Yet in the Scriptures we are told that the believer is “born of God”. Here John uses female language to describe the relationship between God and believers. Similarly, when Jesus addressed God as “Father,” he used a male metaphor/title to help us understand the nature of God. Scripture uses male and female images to enrich our understanding of God, who is Spirit and thereby beyond male and female.”
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth E. Bailey
“WE DON’T JUST READ PARABLES; JESUS EXPECTS US TO LIVE THEM OUT.”
LUKE 19:11-26
FIRST ASSUMPTION: The Parable Of The Talents and the Parable Of The Pounds are the same.
SECOND ASSUMPTION: These two parables are all about being responsible with what we have.
Herod the Great made a trip to Rome in 40 B.C. seeking a Roman appointment as king, and his son, Archelaus, made a similar journey in 4 B.C. to argue his case against his half-brother Antipas. Jesus used a political scene familiar to his audience as the background for this parable.
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth E. Bailey
REVELATION 17:14
REVELATION 19:16
JOHN 18:37
JOHN 1:10-13
MATTHEW 12:30
O Lord, surely I am Your servant,
I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid,
You have loosed my bonds.
PSALM 116:16
Such is the real world of this parable. King Herod’s trip to Rome was successful; he received kingly power. His son Archelaus made the same trip and was banished. No one knows how such a perilous journey will end. The nobleman wants to know, “Are you willing to take the risk and openly declare yourselves to be my loyal servants (during my absence) in a world where many oppose me and my rule.” … It will be easy to declare yourself publicly to be my loyal servants when I return. I am more interested in how you conduct yourselves when I am absent and you have to pay a high price to openly identify yourself with me.
Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth E. Bailey
DO PEOPLE KNOW WHICH KING YOU ARE LOYAL TO?
“Christ never contemplated the production of secret Christians, - Christians whose virtues would never be displayed, - pilgrims who would travel to heaven by night, and never be seen by their fellow-pilgrims or anyone else.”
Spurgeon
JESUS IS INVITING US TO GO PUBLIC
If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
