The Prodigal in Us
Erin Green
Introduction to the Parables
Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’ With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
‘You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
—Matthew 13: 10-16 (NRSV)
Special note: Jesus’s words in our modern context could be construed as ableist. It should be noted that in antiquity, “Hearing” and “Seeing” are metaphorical for “understanding.” In light of this, it needs to be understood that the concept of ableism was not known in the first century, and Jesus often used metaphors like these to make strong points. We should evaluate these parables in light of this reality for folks living in the first century, while remembering it is important to include everyone with loving and inclusive language in our communities since we have an awareness of the damages that ableist language can cause.
Ironically, Jesus’ words and teachings were not necessarily meant for devotional purposes. Jesus’ words and teachings were meant for the purposes of discipleship. The parables are subversive, political; they are social justice oriented, and they address the Empire subjugating the regions where Jesus conducted his ministry. It’s clear that Jesus did not speak and teach people so that they could have a nice thought for the day—he spoke and taught because he was ushering in a reckoning against oppression and the overturning of Empire; and he wanted to use community to do it.
The very fact that he spoke parables and teachings to communities meant that he invited them to partake in this reckoning alongside him—this means we’re invited too. The parables invite us to not only examine the deep and inner parts of ourselves, but the roots and sinews of what tears down oppression and ushers in a kin-dom of love and peace.
We can certainly examine the parables to extract their moral values; however, what if we dig a little more deeply? Parables are more than calls to moral justice—they are critiques of the system itself. Parables contain confounding principles. They may shock us, stifle us, confuse us, and challenge us. Perhaps this is why we continue to read them over and over again. Each time, we chisel and hammer our way through more meanings, more wisdom, and something new to chew on.
Parables take us beyond the realm of the moral high ground and into the realms of systematically, piece by piece, taking down systems of oppression like racism, homophobia, and economic justice. They do more than just tell us how we should behave toward one another—they teach us how to cause a scandalous reckoning against oppression. You are invited to join in the scandal and radical actions that overthrow Empire and its abuse of the marginalized. You are invited to be just like Jesus and shock the world with radical and revolutionary love that changes the world.
We will explore together one famous parable: The Parable of the Prodigal Son. By separating each character, we will highlight everyone’s part to play in this narrative. Through this examination, we will discover its multifaceted meanings, its implication toward a whole community, and how it relates to us in everyday life.
I will not be providing answers to riddles in this devotional. This is meant for us as a community to evaluate and think through. We should be talking about these stories and giving our own perspectives and insights into their meaning. Our doing this helps forge our bond even more closely.
Beloved, parables are challenging and difficult. We must wrestle with them, chew on them, and utilize our whole selves to understand their meaning. You are endowed by the Holy Spirit to make a huge impact in the world. Live into this call and dedicate yourself to justice, truth, action, and revolution. Live into your call to come alongside Jesus as an invited, beloved child in this holy work today.
Erin Green