Parable

The Coffee Shop Assistant (Luke 17:7-10)

February 18, 2023 by P A Downs Leave a Comment

The Coffee Shop Assistant is based on Luke 17: 7-10

Suppose you went into a coffee shop, with an assistant serving behind the counter. Would you tell the assistant, “Oh, get yourself a coffee and take a break?” No, you’d say, “I want a coffee and a sandwich and bring it to my table,” because they can go on their break when they’ve done that. And would you think you owed the assistant a special favour because they filled your order correctly?

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Commentary: Left in Charge (Matt. 24: 45-51)

February 11, 2023 by P A Downs Leave a Comment

Left in Charge is based on Matthew 24:45-51

Retell?

The setting of this parable would have been understandable up to the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Nowadays, it’s more likely that people will have to handle their own catering. But, even today, fans of TV programmes like Downton Abbey could recognise the scenario – especially when ‘slave’ is translated as ‘servant’. That leaves us with the question of whether the parable even needs retelling.

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Left in Charge (Matthew 24:45-51)

November 19, 2022 by P A Downs Leave a Comment

Left in Charge is based on Matthew 24:45-51

So who’s the responsible, sensible worker whose employer has put them in temporary charge of an entire care home? Left them in charge of making sure the residents have food and care? It’s going to be good for that worker when their employer gets back and finds them working hard. They’ll get promoted, become the new manager.

But suppose that worker was untrustworthy? That they said to themselves, ‘my employer won’t be back for ages.’ That they start ill-treating the residents, stealing their things and using the money to go drinking with their friends?

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Commentary: The VIP Lounge (Luke 14:8-14)

November 12, 2022 by P A Downs Leave a Comment

The VIP Lounge is based on Luke 14: 8-14

Retelling

The first part of the parable, in verses 8-11, definitely needs retelling. Yes, any kind of banquet will have a ‘top table’. But they’ll also have place cards and a seating plan; it would be unusual for someone to try to blag a top-table seat (people do know whether they’re the bride’s mother). And in Britain, culturally, swapping place cards is a social no-no. It’s not something that would enhance your status.

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The VIP Lounge (Luke 14: 8-14)

November 5, 2022 by P A Downs Leave a Comment

The VIP Lounge is based on Luke 14: 8-14

When your boss invites you to a big concert, don’t blag your way into the VIP lounge. Suppose there’s a genuine VIP on the way? When they and their entourage turn up, you’ll get asked to leave! Asked to leave – in front of your boss and everyone!

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Commentary: The Unforgiving Debtor-Matt. 18: 23-34

October 29, 2022 by P A Downs Leave a Comment

The Unforgiving Debtor is based on Matthew 18: 23-34

Retelling

A couple of blogs ago, I mentioned two parables that don’t need retelling. The Unforgiving Debtor is a parable that comes very close to ‘doesn’t need retelling’. After all, people still go into debt; they still rack up much more debt than they can ever repay.

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