Parables - Wisdom for LifeSample

Throughout His ministry, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God. He used parables to explain to His followers the mysteries of a kingdom so different from what they presently knew. In the kingdom of God, the last are first, the poor are rich, and the humble are blessed. To those outside of the kingdom, it doesn’t make sense. The world tells us that to be great we must be top dog, high up on the ladder, and be first among all. Even the disciples thought that way!

It was nearing the time when Jesus would go to the cross. As the disciples shared the Last Supper with Jesus, an argument broke out. “I’ll be the greatest,” said one.

“No… I’ll be the greatest of us all”, said another.

Still, another said, “What about me? Don’t you think I’ll be the greatest!?”

Jesus stepped in and put the argument to rest. In God’s kingdom, things are not what we would think. That’s why people sometimes call it an “upside-down” kingdom; things are often opposite to what the world says. Jesus came and flipped everything on its head. The first shall be last. The least are the greatest. Pray for your enemies. Even to the world today, this kind of thinking doesn’t make sense.

Jesus’ life and how He lived and loved were radical. His parables, the stories that He told, were revolutionary. They weren’t just simple stories; they challenged the religious experts! Jesus’ teaching introduced a new way to live and a new way to see, establishing His kingdom among His followers.