‘Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray…’’ (Luke 18:1-8)

This parable is similar to the one about the friend at midnight in Matthew’s Gospel and like that one it seeks not to compare God to the unjust judge but rather to contrast Him to such a person. Similarly the lesson is essentially the same. We should never weary of prayer, however, we need to remember that only God sees the whole picture and the whole of time and only God ultimately knows what is best for us. Therefore our prayers may not always be answered when or in the manner we want them to – but we should never be discouraged in our prayer life, rather we should put our faith and trust in our Lord who knows what’s best for us.

‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen…’’ (Luke 16:19-31)

This parable teaches us a very important lesson that we can easily forget. All too often in life, when certain allegations or claims are made against us, our simple defence is, ‘no, not me, I didn’t do anything…’ and maybe in most circumstances such a defence is enough and will exonerate us from any wrong doing. However, sometimes saying we did nothing wrong is not enough because, quite simply, sometimes doing nothing is not enough.

The rich man in this parable said nothing against Lazarus, he didn’t tell him to move away from his gate and had no objections to him eating whatever fell his way. He wasn’t overtly cruel in any way – he wasn’t anything! And that was his sin. Every single day he passed Lazarus he saw his suffering and need and did nothing about it. He did nothing wrong – he did nothing!

‘Jesus continued, ‘There was a man who had two sons…’’ (Luke 15:11-32)

The parable of the lost son is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible and is, in the view of many, one of the greatest short stories ever told. In general terms we follow on from the previous, shorter stories, where we have this wonderful image of God seeking out those who are lost and then rejoicing when they are found and saved. But as we delve deeper into the content, and especially into the characters in the story, there is so much that we can learn from these verses. Many questions can be asked about the behaviour and actions of both sons and about their attitude to life and their Father – and many sermons could and have been written on these verses. But perhaps today we can just reflect on two. If we are completely honest with ourselves, which of these two sons would we most identify with – and why might that be? Which son was ‘more lost’?

‘Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering round to hear Jesus…’ (Luke 15:1-10)

Luke chapter 15 is considered by many to be one of, if not the most, joyful chapters in the whole of the Bible. Comprising the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin and finally the lost son, it is, in some sense, a gospel within the Gospel. Looking at the first stories, using analogies that would have been familiar to His audience,  the message is clear – our God is a loving, caring God who searches out for those who are lost and who then rejoices when we are found and saved. Praise God!

‘When He noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table He told them this parable…’’ (Luke 14:7-11)

This short parable has one simple lesson at the heart of it and that is the need for humility. No matter how important we may think we are, no matter what we may have achieved in life, no matter what we may have attained  – we are nothing without the grace of our Lord and we must remember that.

‘Jesus spoke this parable, ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his garden…’’ (Luke 13:6-9)

This short parable is one which not only offers hope but also contains a warning. Fig trees usually come to maturity after three years at which time they will bear fruit, however, this one had failed to do so. The owner wished to cut it down, but the keeper of the vineyard convinced him to wait one more year. So what do we learn from this – well a couple of things.

One of the most searching questions we can ask of ourselves is what purpose we have in life. It’s one of the most profound questions we can ask ourselves and one which will produce a whole host of emotions and thoughts from within us as we search for that answer. Why? Because we need to believe that we have some purpose in life and at one level this parable suggests that too. Indeed it goes further and suggests that to have no purpose and to be of little use invites ruin upon ourselves. As children of God our purpose is to glorify Him through worship and service. Are we fulfilling that purpose?

The parable then goes on to teach us that if we simply take all the time without giving anything in return then again we will face this same ruin. The fig tree was drawing sustenance and nourishment from the soil which was being tended around it, but offering nothing in the way of fruit in return. How much more does God provide sustenance and nourishment for us each and every day – and what do we offer Him in the way of fruit in return?

Finally, the parable offers us hope. Such is His love for us and such is His gracious mercy and compassion that God will always give us another chance. Yet even here we have a final warning. Yes, God will always give us another chance however, if we continue to refuse God’s grace and mercy, whilst He will not refuse us, by our choice and action, ultimately we will refuse Him and be cut off from Him for all eternity.

Someone in the crowd said to Him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me…’ (Luke 12:13-21)

 Jesus tended not to get involved in personal disputes between individuals, however, the question asked of him here gave him the opportunity to offer us a valuable lesson on how we should seek to live our lives each day. So what does it say to us?

The man who asked Jesus this question would appear to be very selfish and never saw beyond himself, or his own needs and desires. We have no idea of the full circumstances of his brothers’ life, yet that appears to be of little consequence to this man. He is only interested in himself and gaining whatever he can for himself. As Christians we are called to share what we have with others, particularly those who have so little and if ever we need reminding of that the remaining verses of this parable are a stark reminder.

As well as never looking beyond himself this man never looked beyond this this world and his time here on earth. All his plans were based and made on the life he enjoyed here and now with no thought given to his eternal soul. Those who do likewise might be destined for a shock one day – that’s the stark warning that we are given here.

‘Then Jesus said to them, ‘suppose you have a friend’…’ (Luke 11:5-13)

Of all the parables found in the Gospel narratives this is one of those which is often most misunderstood or misinterpreted. The real lesson in this parable is not simply the question of persistence in terms of our prayer life, although it does not excuse us from intensity in prayer. However, it is not about ‘wearing God down’ until He gives in to our prayer requests. Indeed it is not about comparisons of any kind, rather it is about contrasts.

If a friend can be coerced into giving in to the requests of another friend through his continued persistence, how much more will God, who is loving and compassionate, supply our needs. We are not ‘twisting God’s arm’ to answer our prayers, He will lovingly and willingly do so. However, there is one thing we need to remember. If God does not answer our prayers as we anticipate or expect Him to, it is not He hasn’t heard or grudgingly refuses to answer, but rather because He has something better for us. There is no such thing as unanswered prayer!

‘….And who is my neighbour?…’ (Luke 10:29-37)

Having looked at the parables in Matthew’s Gospel and given that, for the most part, it is these same parables we find in Mark’s Gospel, albeit sometimes written slightly differently, we shall move on to those parables found only in Luke’s Gospel, beginning with one of the most well- known of all.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is possibly the most universally known parable of all that we find in any of the Gospel narratives. Even those who would not claim to have any faith whatsoever have heard of the Good Samaritan, even if they are not fully aware of the content or context of the story. The question is, however, what does it say to us today?

If we look at this story in great detail and consider the question initially asked by the expert in the law, …and who is my neighbour?…, alongside the different characters we find portrayed here, there is enough material here for many sermons. Yet for all that, if we look straight to the heart of what Jesus is saying here, there is one clear and simple message that should be obvious to all of us.

We must be willing to help others at all times, even if that involves a cost to us, and not just in a financial sense. Such help should not be discrimatory in any sense of the word. No matter the gender, race or background of an individual, our offer of help should be the same. And finally, any help we offer must be practical and not just a passive sense of compassion. Only the Samaritan was willing to offer such help in this story.

P.S. In the Gospel of John (8:48) Jesus was called a Samaritan by some Jews. Why might this have been?

‘Again it will be like a man going on a journey…’ (Matthew 25:14-30)

It seems clear that in its original context this parable was aimed at the Scribes and Pharisees who may have been listening to what he was saying. They were the ones entrusted with the Torah and its application but their attitude to the law and truth of God was such that they wanted to keep it exactly as it was. In theory this might have been okay, however, in practical terms their application was so regimented that it became like a ‘ticking of the boxes’ and going through the procedures. They ‘practised’ their faith devoid of any love or compassion – the very things that should have been at the heart of the law – and they stopped others from doing so as well.

But for us today there is more to it than this. This passage tells us that God gives us all gifts, but not all gifts are the same and nor should we expect them to be same. The important thing is how we use the gifts God has given us – no matter what they might be. The gifts we are given are not simply for our own self-edification, although they undoubtedly can help us grow in faith. Rather, they are intended to be used as we play our part in the building up of God’s Kingdom, so whatever gifts we have should be used in our worship and service of the Lord.

As to the reward for doing so – more work to undertake in His name. The work of the Kingdom is never done and we should all do what we can, whenever we can, in that service. The worst thing we can do is nothing! Even if we try and use our gifts but somehow fail in our goal, still that is better than not using our gifts at all.

There is a saying in life that applies to almost every talent or skill that any of us may have. Use it or lose it! Playing a musical instrument, participating in any sporting activity, the pursuit of academic qualifications – unless we use the gifts we have been given in these areas we will ultimately lose them. In terms of our faith life the same applies. Unless we use our God given gifts in His service and in the service of others, we will lose them – and what then!