The Old Man

A Series on the parables of Jesus – Part 2
Salt and light
 (Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 5:13-16 

[During the first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]

  

In the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story”, Mr. Parker, better known as “the old man”, received an award. It was a lamp in the shape of a woman’s leg; gaudy at best. With uninhibited pride and enthusiasm, he set it on the table right in the center of the front window, much to his wife’s dismay.

 

He then went outside to admire his glorious prize, and to make sure that all his neighbors could see it. In fact, they began to congregate around him and ask “What is it”. Soon it became the center of attention on the block. Just what the old man wanted.

 

The Sermon on the Mount includes the parable of salt and light which, metaphorically speaking, illustrates how a true disciple should live.

 

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.   ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.    NLT

 

Although the old man’s “leg lamp” may not be the best example to highlight Jesus’ parable, it does make the point. The old man made sure to put the lamp where everybody could see it. He just had the wrong motivation.

 

Historically, Christians have led the way with good deeds. They see a need and do whatever it takes to meet it in the name of Christ. Everything from colleges to hospitals to recreational organizations, have been founded by Christians to show Christ’s love and to bring him glory.

 

I like how Eugene Peterson paraphrases these verses in The Message. He’s very direct, but it’s easy to imagine Christ saying it exactly how Peterson wrote it.

 

^13a “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.

^14a “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept… so shine!           MSG

 

The old man inside of us is not interested in being the light. But no matter how big or small the endeavor, we’re called to let our light shine. So… take that first step to let your light shine showing Christ’s love.

 

Copyright 2023 Joseph B Williams

 

 

Triple Dog Dare

The Life of Jesus Series:

How Jesus interacted with others.

Mark 2:1-12

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202%3A1-12&version=NIV;NLT

 

In the 1983 movie, “A Christmas Story”, Ralphie was an eye witness to the famous flagpole scene where one of his friends is forced to place his tongue on the frozen metal flagpole because of a “triple dog dare”.

 

His friend had no choice but to do it. Is that what happened to Jesus in this story?

 

Let’s consider the circumstances. Jesus had returned to Capernaum and was likely at Peter’s home. There was a huge crowd; so big that people were standing outside to listen, or to just get a glimpse of Jesus. Those who needed healing may have been waiting for hours.

 

It’s possible that this is a part of the back story of the paralyzed man and his friends. They may have faithfully and patiently waited for hours. Finally, not giving up hope, they devised a plan of desperation; a plan to lower their friend down through the roof of Peter’s house right in front of Jesus.

 

Following this is a series of events that is very revealing.

⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  ⁶ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”                       NIV

 

To the teachers of the law Jesus responded, ¹⁰ “So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ¹¹ “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” ¹² And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers.                 NLT

 

Was this the result of a “triple dog dare”? Was Jesus forced to heal the paralytic like Ralphie’s friend was forced to stick his tongue onto a frozen flagpole?

 

 

What if the story had ended before the paralytic was healed? What if the only thing that Jesus had done for him was to forgive his sins?

 

I think the point of this story is not the faith of the paralytic and his friends. It’s that Jesus had the authority to forgive sins even before the crucifixion and resurrection. And, as the religious leaders so insightfully pointed out, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”