If one goes looking for secret meanings in the Bible, the parables of Jesus are the most logical place to begin. By definition, they conceal secrets, for a parable is a story that makes its point by hiding it beneath another superficial story, after all. Yet, Jesus apparently never had any hope that all those…
All posts by Jay Nelson
About Jay Nelson
An independent Christian hermit, Jay is a writer, historian, mystic and artist.
Why Parables?
A parable is a short allegorical tale from which the listener is expected to take a lesson. It is a literary form related to poetry, fables, wise sayings, and edifying and instructional literature in general, in that a parable seeks to impart helpful information under the guise of an interesting story. But while a parable…
What Bread and Which Wine?
There are many mysteries surrounding the Last Supper. Why the sneaky, obviously pre-arranged business of sending the disciples to looking for a man carrying water to provide a place for the meal (Mk. 14:13-15)? What kind of meal was it – an ordinary dinner with Jesus and his closest disciples (as John said) or the…
The Quest for the Master Key
The ritual forgiveness of sins — the Sacrament of Penance, or Reconciliation, Absolution, Confession or whatever, has been called by the Pope himself to be an “odious sacrament“, one that nobody wants to subject themselves to unless really necessary. For unlike other means of grace, this sacramental encounter between penitent and confessor is actually a…
The Parable of the Sower
The first big public address that Jesus gave in the Gospel of Matthew is called the Parable of the Sower. It was certainly a fine one to start with. His use of natural imagery was vivid and instantly understandable and it set the tone of the urgent need to reform that characterized all his teaching.…