Again he said, what shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? — the question is rhetorical and pedagogical: Jesus is modeling the process of finding the right parable for the kingdom rather than simply announcing it. What parable shall we use — the we is inclusive, inviting the disciples into the process of kingdom-description. The inadequacy of any single parable for the kingdom is implicit in the need for multiple parables: no single image contains the whole reality. Each parable illuminates one facet of the kingdom's nature; the full picture requires the whole collection.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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