Jesus’ parables, found in the New Testament, also called the Synoptic Gospels, embody much of Jesus’ teachings. A parable is a brief, concise story that illustrates a moral message using human actions to educate. Jesus preached frequently, and told parables to coax his listeners to pay attention and involve them in interpretation. An example of a very well known parable is found in Luke 15: 11-32, The Prodigal Son. This is the story of a man who has two sons. The younger son takes his inheritance while his father is alive and spends all of his inheritance with rebellious living. Finally, after working as a lowly swine herder, the younger son returns to his father and begs for mercy. His father greets him with open arms and forgives him without question. The father even arranges a celebration and uses the fatted calf to show his joy at his son’s return. The older brother is jealous and angry at his father’s easy forgiveness, and chastises him for his favoritism. His father responds by saying that he is thankful that his eldest son remained by his side, but he cannot help but celebrate the homecoming of his youngest son because “thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” This parable can be interpreted many ways; one meaning however, is that you must forgive easily and quickly because no one is without sin. Information from: http://www.jesusteachings.com/
