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Right now we are going through a series in our Jr. High group titled “UPSIDE DOWN”. When you read the parables of Jesus, he is constantly flipping the popular ideologies and practices of his day upside down. He is taking the cultural “norms” and poking holes in them.
Personally, I find this to be the most refreshing part of Jesus, and at the same time the most challenging part of his teaching. He calls the disciples and all who hear to a new kind of life, a new kind of living, and gives a new vision of what the Kingdom of God is like.
What would do if we took these ideas, teachings, and thoughts of Jesus to heart? Would the way we live today look differently? I would argue Yes, and even those of us that would call us Christians, I believe if we really began to live according to the way of Jesus that we too would begin to live very differently.
In the parables, Jesus is often times speaking to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were the religious folk of Jesus’ day. I can’t help but think that those stories are still being directed at the Religious folk of today. As I go through the stories, I can’t help but think of us inside the church needing to listen to these stories and truths just as much as anyone. This has been a part of my teaching over the last 3 weeks, which has been great to teach, but also very good to hear.
For example, this weekend I am teaching about the Great Banquet. Sometimes we forget who the Kingdom of God is for, we (Christians) can become very pious, thinking that we have it together and it is “others” in need of God’s grace.
Oh how quick we forget. We (christians) sometimes have such a short memory. I sometimes have a short memory. I was ( and am everyday) in need of God’s saving grace, in need of the mercy that God hands out, broken and lost. The message of Jesus is beautiful, and I am in need of it.
I have been loving this series. What is your favorite parable?
