Living with Lamps Ablaze

Matthew 24:45 - 25:13

Parables of Wisdom and Surprise
In this last section of Jesus’ teaching, Matthew records a series of parables, one of Jesus’ most characteristic ways of teaching. Parables are tricky. They range widely from a few words to a substantial story. Jesus often liked to take an easily recognizable situation, even a cliché, but give it an unexpected turn to plant an idea in our minds that we have to keep thinking about.