13.01 The severity of the parables

I. THE SEVERITY OF THE PARABLES THE study of the parables leaves an impression of severity upon the mind. There is scarcely one which does not contain the most solemn warnings and give rise to the most anxious searching of the heart. “The Word of God” spoken in them “is living, active, and stronger than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Some of those which we have not been able to consider are of special severity such as the Unmerciful Servant, the Wicked Husbandman, the Rich Fool, and the Rich Man and Lazarus.

They remind us of the truth on which Dean Church used to insist, and which we are too apt to forget, that the New Testament is a very severe book. The severity is the more remarkable because it is almost always aimed at those who consider themselves righteous or whom the world considers successful. He who becomes a disciple of Jesus enters verily a stern school.

Yet, like the sunlight breaking through the clouds, even in the parables we see the light of the divine love breaking through the severity of the divine judgment. It shines full and clear in the last parable of which we thought, the Prodigal Son: and lest the impression left on our minds should be too stern, I would close our study of the parables by choosing one, short indeed and simple, yet glittering as a jewel with the light of divine compassion the parable of the Lost Sheep.

TAGS: [Parables]