Over all these years, I have just assumed that parables were stories to contemplate, to figure out, or to open our minds. Parables are those stories that make important spiritual points. They also leave a great deal of room to interpret them within our own lives and generations. That is the thing about all of those parables of Jesus, they were very complex stories with layers of meaning.
But, what if all of those stories, all of those parables were intended to point us the the “great parable”, the life of Christ? The scriptures say that he told these parables to all who would listen, “those who have ears to hear”, but that he explained them to his disciples. Perhaps that is what we are called to do, to listen to the life of Christ and live out that parable, that life that represents what all Christians are called to do.
I have a picture or these words painted on a building in New Orleans, “live a great story”. There was a movie about the life of Christ called “The Greatest Story Ever Told”. I believe that is what we are called to do as Christ followers, live out the “greatest story ever told” daily. That is the greatest parable, the life of Christ.
Think of this, each of us is called to live that “great story” in our own way but always with the rule of love as the guide. There were so many layers to Christ and His life, so too there are many layers to our own lives. Like any good parable, the life of Christ was full of many layers of meaning. From his birth, in a stable with no fanfare at all to his death that ultimately filled the world with a fanfare for all. That is the greatest “Parable” ever told. That is what we are called to do, to live out his “great story”.
TMM