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I like the parable of the unmerciful debtor in Matthew 18:23-35.
A man owes the king 10,000 talents (approx. 200,000 years of wages for a laborer). The man begs not to have his family sold to debtors and to let him try to pay it. The king pities him and forgives the entire debt.
Then that man runs into someone who owes him 100 denarii (about 100 days of wages for a laborer) and the man refuses to give him time to pay and putss him in prison. When the king finds out, he says, "Shouldn't you have mercy on that man like I had on you?" and puts him in jail as well.
The moral is that if we can't forgive each other for sinning against us, then God will not forgive us for our lifetime of sin against him. Put another way, someone who God has forgiven of all their sin should find it easy to forgive others.
Source(s):
Matthew 18:23-35
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The Rainmaker
Years ago, in some distant land across the sea, a village of people had endured months of drought, and there was no sign of rain any time soon. Many feared that they would lose their crops, and there was much worry and tension in the village.
One day a wise old man who was known far and wide as the Rainmaker appeared in the village. His words to the head of the village were few: “Build me a hut and leave me alone in there for three full days.”
A hut was readily assembled and the Rainmaker entered.
One day passed and still there was no sign of rain. By the end of the second day the sky remained clear. People in the village began to worry more than ever. Some paced in the sand in front of the Rainmaker’s hut, some wrung their hands and pulled their hair. One man even tore his loin cloth in desperation, but most villagers just worried in silence.
By the middle of the third day there still was no sign of rain. Tension ran high. One man said he dreamed of vultures the night before. Mothers clutched their children, and there was moaning and tears among the elders. Late that afternoon, dark clouds began to fill the sky, and shortly afterward, the rain poured down.
As the people rejoiced, the Rainmaker slowly emerged from his hut. The villagers rushed to his side, threw themselves at his feet, and thanked him profusely for all he had done. The Rainmaker rubbed sleep from his eyes and a puzzled look appeared on his face. Finally he said, “But I haven’t done anything yet. I was ill and needed to rest for three days.”
What's the moral? That's what I like about it... there are many different interpretations that the client can make. And they are all meaningful!
Source(s):
Handbook of Hypnotic Inductions by Gafner and Benson
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| April 01, 2009 03:52 PM |
A man owes the king 10,000 talents (approx. 200,000 years of wages for a laborer). The man begs not to have his family sold to debtors and to let him try to pay it. The king pities him and forgives the entire debt.
Then that man runs into someone who owes him 100 denarii (about 100 days of wages for a laborer) and the man refuses to give him time to pay and putss him in prison. When the king finds out, he says, "Shouldn't you have mercy on that man like I had on you?" and puts him in jail as well.
The moral is that if we can't forgive each other for sinning against us, then God will not forgive us for our lifetime of sin against him. Put another way, someone who God has forgiven of all their sin should find it easy to forgive others.
Source(s):
Matthew 18:23-35
| Asker's Rating: |
• I didn't realize a parable could be so controversal. Interesting. If there is so much controversy and contention, should one teach morals from parables?
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April 01, 2009 03:08 PM
Here's mine. I use this often in my hypnotherapy practice: The Rainmaker
Years ago, in some distant land across the sea, a village of people had endured months of drought, and there was no sign of rain any time soon. Many feared that they would lose their crops, and there was much worry and tension in the village.
One day a wise old man who was known far and wide as the Rainmaker appeared in the village. His words to the head of the village were few: “Build me a hut and leave me alone in there for three full days.”
A hut was readily assembled and the Rainmaker entered.
One day passed and still there was no sign of rain. By the end of the second day the sky remained clear. People in the village began to worry more than ever. Some paced in the sand in front of the Rainmaker’s hut, some wrung their hands and pulled their hair. One man even tore his loin cloth in desperation, but most villagers just worried in silence.
By the middle of the third day there still was no sign of rain. Tension ran high. One man said he dreamed of vultures the night before. Mothers clutched their children, and there was moaning and tears among the elders. Late that afternoon, dark clouds began to fill the sky, and shortly afterward, the rain poured down.
As the people rejoiced, the Rainmaker slowly emerged from his hut. The villagers rushed to his side, threw themselves at his feet, and thanked him profusely for all he had done. The Rainmaker rubbed sleep from his eyes and a puzzled look appeared on his face. Finally he said, “But I haven’t done anything yet. I was ill and needed to rest for three days.”
What's the moral? That's what I like about it... there are many different interpretations that the client can make. And they are all meaningful!
Source(s):
Handbook of Hypnotic Inductions by Gafner and Benson
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April 01, 2009 06:21 PM
Since the event did not actually happen, this is not a reason to either believe or not believe in rainmakers. Since it did not actually happen, it also is not evidence that people are gullible and quick to believe in magic, nor evidence that they are not. That you find it useful, however, is evidence that stories like this can be used to manipulate people. In your case, I hope, with good intentions; but, there is no guarantee.
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April 01, 2009 10:34 PM
Well... ANYTHING can be used to manipulate people... including facts.
And... manipulation isn't necessarily a bad thing... but if you're put off by "manipulation", why not just call it... Influence? Suggestion? Coercion?
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And... manipulation isn't necessarily a bad thing... but if you're put off by "manipulation", why not just call it... Influence? Suggestion? Coercion?
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verses 34-35 "In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
The point is not to make a discussion about fair lending practices. It is to remind you when you hold a grudge how it will be if God will not forgive you.
The parable or story is used as a way to explain, to illustrate a point. It is not the reason, the evidence, or the logic behind it. For instance, I use stories when I teach programming to explain how programming works. ("Fibonacci heaps are like Child Protective Services.") They are not the logic behind how it works but merely a way to remember it, something for the mind to hold onto.
Any teacher will tell you that you learn by adding on to what you already know. Thus abstract concepts are made easier to understand with real-life illustrations to connect with. The parable is a way of illustrating abstract ideas in simple terms. Jesus never used a parable as a proof: "You know this is true because kings like to be paid" but as a simple example to demonstrate important principles.