Parables of Jesus
(27 Parables Explained)
The Way Home
Finding Ourselves in the Prodigal Son
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We’ve all been there—perhaps not in a literal "distant country," but in the quiet, isolated spaces of our own hearts. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32) is one of the most famous stories ever told, yet its depth remains bottomless. It isn’t just a story about a rebellious kid; it’s a mirror reflecting our relationship with a Father who refuses to give up on us.
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1. The Pursuit of "More"
The story begins with a demand: "Father, give me my share of the estate." In that culture, asking for an inheritance while the father was still alive was essentially saying, "I wish you were dead."
The younger son believed that freedom was found in distance. He thought that by escaping the father’s house, he would finally find himself. How often do we do the same? We seek fulfillment in:
* Career achievements
* Material wealth
* Total independence from "religious" rules
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But as the younger son soon discovered, life away from the Source of life eventually runs dry.
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2. The Grace in the "Pigpen"
When the money ran out and a famine hit, the son found himself feeding pigs—a place of ultimate shame for a Jewish listener. But the Bible says something beautiful: "He came to his senses."
Sometimes, the "pigpen" moments in our lives are actually gifts. They are the moments of desperation that strip away our pride and force us to look upward. He realized that even the servants in his father’s house had it better than he did. He prepared a speech of repentance, hoping just to be hired as a laborer.
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3. The Father Who Runs
This is the climax of the story. In the Ancient Near East, it was considered undignified for an elderly man to run. Yet, while the son was still "a long way off," the father saw him and ran.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." — Luke 15:20
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The Father didn't wait for the speech. He didn't demand an itemized list of sins. He didn't put him on a "probationary period." He restored his sonship immediately with a robe, a ring, and a celebration.
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4. Which Son Are You?
The story ends with a twist: the Older Brother. He was physically home, but his heart was just as far away as his brother's had been. He was angry at the grace shown to the "sinner."
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This serves as a vital reminder for us today:
* The Younger Brother reminds us that no one is too lost to be found.
* The Older Brother warns us that being "good" doesn't mean we are close to the Father’s heart.
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The Takeaway
The heart of the Gospel isn't about our ability to stay home and be perfect; it’s about a Father who is constantly scanning the horizon, waiting for us to turn back. Whether you are in a "distant country" today or standing on the porch feeling bitter, the Father is inviting you into the feast.
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Your seat at the table is still reserved.
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The Shrewd Manager
Finding Grace in an Unlikely Place
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The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1–13) is often cited as one of Jesus’ most difficult teachings. At first glance, it feels like Jesus is applauding a white-collar criminal. Why would a Savior who preaches honesty praise a man who just cooked the books?
If you’ve ever felt confused by this passage, you’re in good company. But when we dig deeper, we find a powerful lesson about urgency, priorities, and the true purpose of our resources.
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The Story: A Crisis of Stewardship
The setup is simple: A wealthy land owner receives word that his manager is wasting his possessions. The manager is fired and told to turn in his account books.
Facing homelessness and manual labor—which he admits he’s too weak for—the manager hatches a desperate plan. He goes to his master’s debtors and slashes their bills. He isn't being generous with his own money; he’s essentially "buying" future favors using his master's assets.
The Twist: When the master finds out, he doesn't throw the man in jail. He commends him.
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"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly." — Luke 16:8
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Why the Praise?
Jesus isn't praising the man's dishonesty; He is praising his foresight.
The steward realized two things very quickly:
* His time was up.
* His current resources were only useful if they secured his future.
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Jesus points out that "the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light." He is challenging us: If worldly people are this strategic about their temporary physical futures, why are we so casual about our eternal ones?
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Three Takeaways for the Modern Believer
* Be Shrewd, Not Selfish: We are called to use the "unrighteous wealth" of this world (money, time, talents) to influence eternity. Money is a tool, not a goal.
* The "End of the Lease" Mentality: Everything we have is on loan. The steward knew his authority was ending. We, too, are temporary residents here. Are we investing in the "kingdom to come" or just decorating a house we’re about to move out of?
* The Loyalty Test: Jesus ends this parable with a famous line: "You cannot serve both God and money." Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.
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Final Thought
The Unjust Steward was a scoundrel, but he was a scoundrel who knew how to pivot. He used a collapsing system to secure a future home.
As followers of Christ, we are invited to do the same—not through dishonesty, but through radical generosity and a clear-eyed focus on the Kingdom of Heaven.
We should use what we have now to make an impact that lasts forever.
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The Great Reversal
Lessons from the Rich Man
and Lazarus
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The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) is one of Jesus’ most vivid and sobering parables. It pulls back the curtain on eternity, challenging our earthly perspectives on success, suffering, and the condition of the human heart.
In this story, Jesus presents a stark contrast between two men: one who had everything the world envies, and another who had nothing the world values.
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1. The Deception of Outward Appearance
The parable begins by describing their earthly lives:
* The Rich Man: Clothed in purple and fine linen, feasting sumptuously every day. In that culture, his wealth would have been seen by many as a sign of God’s favor.
* Lazarus: A beggar covered in sores, longing for crumbs from the rich man's table. His name, ironically, means "God has helped." To those passing by, he looked utterly abandoned.
The Lesson: Our bank accounts and social status are not barometers of our standing with God. The world looks at the "purple linen," but God looks at the heart.
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2. The Finality of the Great Chasm
The turning point comes when both men die. Their roles are completely reversed: Lazarus is carried by angels to "Abraham’s side" (a place of comfort), while the rich man finds himself in torment.
When the rich man begs for relief, Abraham explains a hard truth:
"Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us." (Luke 16:26)
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This reminds us that eternity is a permanent state. The choices we make, the faith we place (or don't place) in God, and the way we treat "the least of these" have consequences that extend far beyond our final breath.
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3. The Sufficiency of Scripture
In a final plea, the rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to warn his brothers. He believes a miracle—someone rising from the dead—would surely convince them to repent.
Abraham’s response is profound: "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead."
We often think we need a "sign" or a supernatural encounter to truly believe.
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But Jesus makes it clear: The Word of God is enough. If our hearts are hardened to the truths already revealed in Scripture, even a miracle won't soften them.
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Reflect and Respond
The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus isn't just a warning about wealth; it’s a call to spiritual urgency. It asks us:
* Are we blind to the "Lazarus" at our own gate?
* Are we trusting in our own comfort rather than God's grace?
* Are we listening to the voice of God through His Word today?
We don't have to wait for a sign from the afterlife. We have the Gospel, and we have the opportunity to live with eternity in view right now.
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