Table of Contents
Introduction xiii
Sloppy Thinking About the Parables xiv
Why Parables? xviii
Some Definitions and Details xxiv
1 One Ominous Day in Galilee 1
The Pharisees and the Sabbath 1
Jesus' Conflict with the Religious Elite 5
A Remarkable Healing and Deliverance 8
The Unpardonable Sin 11
The Pivotal Day Continues 14
2 A Lesson About Receiving the Word 17
A Surprisingly Simple Story 18
Some Subtle Points to Notice 22
Take Heed How You Hear 22
The Explanation 25
3 A Lesson About the Cost of Discipleship 39
What Is the Kingdom? 40
Is Entrance to the Kingdom Free, or Is There a Cost? 41
Hidden Treasure 44
The Pearl of Great Price 47
Six Vital Truths About the Kingdom 48
4 A Lesson About Justice and Grace 57
The Parable 61
The Proverb 66
The Point 67
The Purpose 69
The Principles 71
5 A Lesson About Neighborly Love 75
A Trick Question 76
A Hard Heart 79
A Gentle Answer with a Powerful Point 81
The Dangerous Road and the Attack 82
The Priest and the Levite 83
Jews and Samaritans 86
How the Samaritan Loved 89
Limitless Love 91
6 A Lesson About Justification by Faith 97
Two Men at the Temple 101
The Problem for Sinners 103
"Justified" 106
Analyzing the Parable 109
The Contrasts 110
The Similarities 115
The Chief Difference 116
Right with God 118
A Short Coda 120
7 A Lesson About Faithfulness 123
A Tale of Two Servants 126
The Ten Bridesmaids 128
The Talents 133
What Links These Parables Together? 138
8 A Lesson About Serpentine Wisdom 141
The Story 143
The Shocker 148
The Explanation 150
9 A Lesson About Heaven and Hell 157
Jesus v. the Pharisees 158
Some Context for This Parable 160
Knowing the Terror of the Lord 162
The Characters 166
The Rich Man's Plea and Abraham's Reply 169
Though One Rise from the Dead 172
10 A Lesson About Persistence in Prayer 175
The Judge 178
The Woman's Dilemma 180
The Turning Point 182
The Meaning 183
Acknowledgments 189
Appendix: Storied Truth: Objective Meaning in Narrative 191
Stories as Effective Vehicles for Truth 196
The Wealth of Truth in Jesus' Parables 198
Stories and Propositions 199
Notes 203
Index 205
Scripture Index 211
About the Author 217
