I have come to realize words are important, and how they are used to convey meaning is important. First, I need to tell you a little about my background with words. I wasn’t an attentive student in middle or high school - particularly in English class. But when God opened my heart and mind to His Word, words and their meanings became important to me. That does not mean that I now successfully understand all written and spoken words or do I always communicate what I want to when I use words. Yet I do seek to be a better student, wanting to know the truth of God’s Word and to communicate it with others successfully.
All this to say, I can relate to Jesus’ disciples who frequently (as recorded in the Gospels) did not understand His teaching. One of the reasons for the disciples’ lack of understanding was that Jesus spoke in parables. In fact, Matthew 13.34 tells us that Jesus did not speak publicly without using a parable. What is a parable? My dictionary provides this definition: 1. a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth. 2. a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by use of comparison or the like. Okay, but what is an allegory? Again, the dictionary comes to our aid: the representation of spiritual, moral, or other abstract meanings through the actions of fictional characters that serve as symbols. So for those of us who usually think of just the facts, or think only literally, we can be in danger of missing some of the meaning. The Gospels also tell us Jesus frequently taught the disciples in private the clear explanation of His parables.
Why did Jesus teach in parables? Jesus explains in Luke 8.10, “… To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'” Notice that there are two separate things going on here. First, parables teach or illustrate a truth; and second, the truths taught in the parables are going to be missed by some.
Returning to my questions of “Who am I?” or “What Does God Have for Me to Do? - some of the answer to these questions comes when we understand God’s story and our part in it. In other words, it may be helpful to consider these questions through an allegorical lens.
When I say God’s Story, I am talking about His plan to reveal who He is through creation and His plan to redeem a people for Himself, to punish evil, and to restore perfect harmony and righteousness in a new heaven and new earth. I am going to assume that you are familiar with the basics of this big picture (the work of Jesus Christ taking upon Himself the penalty of our sins and giving us a new heart with a desire to live as becomes an adoptive child of God). If you are uncertain how these things apply to you, I urge you to talk with an elder of this church.
So who am I? By this I mean, “What is my identity and what is my purpose?” As a starting point, we have been given a gift. We were made children of God, born spiritually through the Holy Spirit (John 1.13) and made members of His family. And as part of God’s family, we are to live lives that reflect God’s character and holiness. That’s the big picture. But how does it work out in our daily lives? In J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic story The Lord of the Rings: Part One, The Fellowship of The Ring, Frodo Baggins is given a gift, the ring of power. However, this gift is evil, and Frodo has the task to destroy it. (Now before I lose anyone, we’re talking about how we might better understand our situation using allegory. So stay with me.) You will recall the longer anyone possesses the ring of power two things happen. The bearer’s life was unnaturally lengthened, and despite resisting, the ring increased in evil influence or power over the bearer. Just the opposite is the Christian’s gift! We have the sure promise of eternal life, but we are being transformed through the Holy Spirit for good and righteousness (Romans 12.1-2) which we welcome.
So, who are we in part? We are pilgrims in this world on our way to the celestial city, who are to resist evil as we are being transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Sincerely, A Pilgrim (a CPC Elder)
