A Most Unusual Parable Series

- Some life hacks, according to people online (I haven’t tried these):

- "For chores that I don't like to do (like washing a big pile of dishes), I set a timer for four minutes and tell myself I will do it for four minutes, and after the time goes off, I can stop if I want to. Just giving myself an out makes it seem less cumbersome. Sometimes I quit after four minutes and pick it up again later, but I just keep going. Getting started is the hardest part."

- "When looking at recipes online, click the print link. This cuts out the unnecessary backstory and random musings. You can also save the recipe as a PDF to your computer or even just the link to the printable version."

- "If you put something down temporarily, say, 'I've put the screwdriver by the microwave' or whatever. This engages many more areas of the brain (particularly the language centers), which creates a richer memory, making it less likely you'll forget where you put it."

- Life hacks are really popular on the internet.

DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER PARABLES: This point of this parable reads more like a life hack than a moral imperative.

- Luke 14:7-11.

- This parable reads differently than most of Jesus’ parables in at least a couple ways.

- First, it reads more like a life hack than a moral imperative.

- Many of Jesus’ parables have a moral point. Often it’s something that seems counter-intuitive and requires you to believe that there is a hidden Kingdom of God that is worth living for.

- This parable has a moral point: be humble. But the way it is presented is most unusual. It reads like a life hack. The wording is strange: Jesus doesn’t say, “Do this because it’s the right thing to do” but “You should do this because it will help you avoid being socially embarrassed and could lead to you being socially elevated.” It almost comes across as transactional.

- Now, there’s nothing wrong with Jesus saying it that way. It’s just unusual.

- Just so we’re all on the same page, let me talk about “life hack” for a minute. The internet is awash with these today. Podcasting is too. It’s usually an expert in some field (dating, personal growth, health, etc.) and they will share some insight that they have gained from their years of research and expertise. It’s a practical tip that will help you live a better life. It’s a “hack” to help you live a fuller life. And, again, there’s nothing wrong with that.

In this situation, it just stands out because it’s unlike most of Jesus’ other parables.

- Second, many of the parables require some behind-the-scenes information to understand.

- An obvious example is the parable of the four soils. The disciples literally come to Jesus after the crowds have left and basically ask, “What in the world was the point of that story?” They had no guess as to what it meant without Jesus giving them the notes.

- Many of the parables are about the nature of the Kingdom of God. When you understand them in context and with the interpretive key, they open up nicely. But as a pastor for thirty years I can tell you that many people new to the Bible who don’t have that interpretive key read those parables and have some wild guesses about what they mean. It’s not necessarily their fault. Jesus Himself said the nature of a parable was in part to hide God’s wisdom from certain people. (Note: it’s not those seeking God’s truth but those who aren’t interested in submitting to Christ’s path.)

- Again, this parable is different. Its meaning is self-evident. There’s no interpretive key needed. Whether you’re a follower of Christ or not, you can understand it. Whether you grasp the nature of the Kingdom of God or not, you can understand it.

- The only part that might be a struggle for some would be that last verse (v. 11). That demands a little Kingdom insight.

- Given the unusual nature of this parable in multiple ways, it provides a nice opportunity to discuss an important aspect of Jesus’ teaching. This is true of all of His teaching but the unusual nature of this parable provides a nice moment to discuss it.

ONE THING THIS PARABLE POINTS US TO: Jesus is smart and His insights work.

- Luke 14:7-11.

- There is a widespread thought that religion and religious commandments are largely irrelevant to real life, beyond the most generic “be nice” pablum. There is a related thought that religious thought is impractical. It sounds good in a Sunday morning sermon, but it’s not a way you’d actually live your life.