Back to Bible Basics for Orthodox Christians Session 8

Back to Bible Basics for Orthodox Christians

Session 8 – The Bible as Story in Parables

Patristic Reference: Saint John Chrysostom Homilies

Prayer before reading of the Holy Scriptures: Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of Your Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments so that, having conquered sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things which are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory, together with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good and life giving Spirit, always now and forever and to the ages of ages.

  1. Why does Jesus teach in parables Mark 4.10-12 OSB 1335
    1. Conceal difficult truths from those with a hard heart – 
    2. Speak directly to our hearts to call us to deeper faith
    3. Allows for the listener to receive the message
    4. Parables are like prophecy SJC “So in case the Jews should hear this clearly from the beginning and maltreat those saying so, they concealed the prophecies under the difficulty of interpretation and imparted to them great obscurity in the contents, ensuring by the obscurity of the reports the safety of the reporters. Where does this emerge? An explanation is required of us, after all, even if we are among friends when we speak: perhaps there are also present many of those who are not friends. So let them also learn this so that they in turn may become friends.”
  2. Parables
    1. Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13.1-23 OSB 1291) Jesus the Word of God is given to all without discrimination, but not all receive it and nurture it.
    2. Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25.14-30 OSB 1318) God has given gifts to all according to our ability. It is up to us to use them to glorify God.
    3. Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12.16-21 OSB 1391) The blessings from God are for us to bless others, not ourselves. Greed leads to death.
    4. Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18.9-14 OSB 1401) Humility exalts our soul. Pride keeps us from heaven
    5. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16.19-31 OSB 1399) We are saved by how we see and treat others. This also points toward those who will reject the Resurrection of Christ.
    6. Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15.11-32 OSB 1397) We are saved in repentance. We condemn ourselves when we reject God’s love. This is a parable of heaven and hell.
    7. Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25-37 OSB 1387) Loving others ‘as ourselves’ is our salvation. 
    8. Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25.31-46 OSB 1318) We are saved by seeing Christ in the face of others.
    9. Parable of the Great Feast (Luke 14.16-24 OSB 1395) God has invited us to join Him in heaven. We must not only be ready to enter, but willing to show up. God desires heaven to be filled.
    10. Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21.28-32 OSB 1310) It isn’t enough to say ‘yes’ to God. We must actually ‘do’ His will. Repentance is better than losing faith.
    11. Parable of the Laborers (Matthew 20.1-16 OSB 1306) God will save whomever He chooses. Our salvation rests in how we respond to God and not judging others’ response to Him.
    12. Parable of the Good Shepherd (John 10.1-16 OSB 1444) Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. Those who lead apart from Him are leading people away from God.
    13. Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13.24-30 OSB 1293) Within the Church there will be faithful and unfaithful coexisting until the Judgment. If the Church works ‘too’ hard on the unfaithful it will disturb the faithful’s fruit.
    14. Parable of the Bad Farmers (Luke 20.9-16 OSB 1405) Even those ‘born’ in the Church must respond to God’s call. If we reject God’s call, the Church will be given to others who respond. This is a parable about the death of Christ and the establishment of the Church separate from the Jews.
    15. Parable of the Patches and Wineskins (Matthew 9.14-17 OSB 1283) The Old Testament and New Testament are needed to preserve God’s truth. The Old Wine is The OT Law. The New Wine is the Holy Spirit.
    16. Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25.1-13 OSB 1317) We must be prepared at any moment for the return of Christ. Sleep refers to death. Once we are ‘dead’ we cannot share our ‘oil’ with others. We must use what we have already prepared while we were alive. This parable is the central theme for the first half of Holy Week.
    17. Parable of the Cruel and Unforgiving Debtor (Matthew 18.21-35 OSB 1304) We will be forgiven only to the extent we are willing to forgive others.
    18. Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15.1-7 OSB 1396) God considers everyone to be ‘worth’ His time to save. He rejoices in everyone who repents.
    19. Parable of the Two House Builders (Matthew 7.24-29 OSB 1280) Following Christ is hard work, but we know this in advance. To ignore His teachings is like not preparing a solid foundation. 
    20. Parable of the Unjust Judge (Luke 18.1-8 OSB 1401) Persistent faith is what draws mercy and grace from God. This is  not about begging God, but about persistent faith. The widow knew the judge was willing and able to help, just as God is willing.
    21. Parable of the Unprofitable Servants (Luke 17.7-10 OSB 1400) Simply doing what is expected of us is not a blessing. It only makes us obedient.
    22. Parable of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11.5-13 OSB 1388) Our persistent faith results in our ‘needs’ being fulfilled by God. God will not give us what we do not need, nor anything bad for us.
    23. Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13.44-46 OSB 1294) Christ is the pearl of great price that we are willing to ‘sell it all’ to obtain.
    24. Parable of the Unfaithful Servant (Luke 12.35-48 OSB 1392) God has given the Church a way of life. We are to be loyal servants and prepared for His return. The more we know, the more that is expected of us.

Parable of the Humility and Hospitality (Luke 14.7-11 OSB 1395) Genuine humility will lift us in honor by God. Pride will ‘send us down’ to the lowest place.