Why Do Jesus’ Parables Vary So Much in Tone?

A listener named Matt asks a question of faith about the varying tones present in the Gospel.  “The parables seem to span from God's Kingdom is awesome and kind; we’ll go out after that lamb that's lost and leave the 99 behind all the way to the other end of the spectrum of, if you don't have enough oil in your lamp, forget it.   You're not coming into the house. Just love to hear your thoughts on what could be driving that spectrum.”

Father Dave says that Jesus and the Gospel writers all use different imagery to convey their messages, including the descriptive and symbolic language Matt mentions in the parables.

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“Jesus and the Gospel writers are intentional about that, because it's not all just warm and fuzzy,” Father Dave says.  “Gospel means ‘good news.’ It's good news that we can be saved and have eternal life with God, even if we're sinners, but it's not a free ticket. Jesus commands us to love one another, to wash one another's feet. He commands us to pick up our cross and to be other- centered and to pray for our enemies. All of this is part of his message. And so what you're saying is some of the parables and stories run that gamut — some sound warm and fuzzy, but others don't sound warm and fuzzy.”

Father Dave adds that this spectrum of parables, from God seeming vengeful to being an all-loving God, is meant to challenge us and our notion of God. When it comes to God, he is not either or, he is both.  

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“The issue,” Father Dave says, “is that in our more finite human minds, it's hard for us to believe that it’s all true. We want God either to be mean or to be nice and brotherly, and it doesn't make sense that he can be, or we can be, held to a standard that includes both.”

“The Gospel message includes the idea that no matter how much we’ve sinned, God forgives us and offers us his grace. But the Gospel message also includes standards for living in the kingdom of God.  Christ will be our ultimate judge, particularly at the end of our lives and at the end of time,” Father Dave reminds us.