I thought it might be very interesting to start a discussion about the parables that Christ taught during his earthly ministry. I find it amazing how these short and simple parables contain so much spiritual insight and direction. My favorite parable is recorded in Matthew 13:45-46. The parable of the Pearl of Great Price. "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."
This parable is my favorite for one simple reason. Those two short verses had such an impact on my mind and soul as I read it several years ago. I had known and read this parable many times previously in the past. Although I had always understood the meaning of those verses and could appreciate them, it had never struck me so strongly as it did this time. Prior to reading this parable, I had been struggling with coping with disappointments in life. I was finding it increasingly difficult to have joy and be hopeful that certain circumstances in my life would ever change. As I read those verses something just clicked. What a privilege and immense richness it is to find Jesus Christ and have a deep relationship with him. If you have that then nothing else in life truly matters. I know this gets said all the time and it can seem cliche. In reality though, we, as Christians, often lose sight of what is available to us. Much of our misery and loneliness in life is caused or at least compounded by our lack of pursuing fellowship with Christ. Our real purpose in life is to win others to Christ and develop our own personal faith. That is what brings us true joy and happiness. If we stray from that purpose and neglect our spiritual life, we will be without strength and grace to overcome life's struggles.
I think it could be very edifying and interesting to all share our thoughts on this parable and discuss how a person could go about developing a spiritual life. Let's try to keep this thread as uplifting as possible.
This parable is my favorite for one simple reason. Those two short verses had such an impact on my mind and soul as I read it several years ago. I had known and read this parable many times previously in the past. Although I had always understood the meaning of those verses and could appreciate them, it had never struck me so strongly as it did this time. Prior to reading this parable, I had been struggling with coping with disappointments in life. I was finding it increasingly difficult to have joy and be hopeful that certain circumstances in my life would ever change. As I read those verses something just clicked. What a privilege and immense richness it is to find Jesus Christ and have a deep relationship with him. If you have that then nothing else in life truly matters. I know this gets said all the time and it can seem cliche. In reality though, we, as Christians, often lose sight of what is available to us. Much of our misery and loneliness in life is caused or at least compounded by our lack of pursuing fellowship with Christ. Our real purpose in life is to win others to Christ and develop our own personal faith. That is what brings us true joy and happiness. If we stray from that purpose and neglect our spiritual life, we will be without strength and grace to overcome life's struggles.
I think it could be very edifying and interesting to all share our thoughts on this parable and discuss how a person could go about developing a spiritual life. Let's try to keep this thread as uplifting as possible.