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The Master's Parables

314 posts · 12 participants · started Feb 5, 2015, 9:48 PM

BonitaParticipant
Jun 7, 2017, 4:10 PM
Am I the only one not getting email alerts? I’m not getting them on any topic or forum. It’s annoying.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about reasons why Jesus didn’t want his apostles to teach the parable prayers to the multitudes and why it’s okay for us to know about them today. The only thing I can come up with is that they must have been too revelatory for their time. For some reason, I guess, we’re now ready for it.

TUB does explain that revelation must not be too far removed from the thoughts and reactions of the age (92:4.1). Likewise, over revelation can be fatal to emerging truths:

48:6.21 But sometimes error is so great that its rectification by revelation would be fatal to those slowly emerging truths which are essential to its experiential overthrow.

So perhaps some truths have slowly emerged over the last two thousand years and are no longer in danger? Wonder what they are. Maybe it’s the “adjusting and controlling” indwelling Spirit whom we just got the skinny on.

Here’s the next prayer:

144:5.11-23

Our creative Parent, who is in the center of the universe,

Bestow upon us your nature and give to us your character.

Make us sons and daughters of yours by grace

And glorify your name through our eternal achievement.

Your adjusting and controlling spirit give to live and dwell within us

That we may do your will on this sphere as angels do your bidding in light.

Sustain us this day in our progress along the path of truth.

Deliver us from inertia, evil, and all sinful transgression.

Be patient with us as we show loving-kindness to our fellows.

Shed abroad the spirit of your mercy in our creature hearts.

Lead us by your own hand, step by step, through the uncertain maze of life,

And when our end shall come, receive into your own bosom our faithful spirits.

Even so, not our desires but your will be done.
MaraParticipant
Jun 7, 2017, 6:17 PM

Bonita wrote: So perhaps some truths have slowly emerged over the last two thousand years and are no longer in danger?

Maybe through the discoveries of science in modern times the revelators granted us these prayer glimpses. Maybe we earned them through the hard work of scientific discovery, as in such fields as physics, astrophysics, geology, cartography, chemistry and so on. In the times of Jesus people did not know of the science of volcanism. And so much superstition abounded up until recent times and some persists even today.

95:7.5 There was only one factor of a tribal, racial, or national nature about the primitive and unorganized beliefs of the desert, and that was the peculiar and general respect which almost all Arabian tribes were willing to pay to a certain black stone fetish in a certain temple at Mecca. This point of common contact and reverence subsequently led to the establishment of the Islamic religion. What Yahweh, the volcano spirit, was to the Jewish Semites, the Kaaba stone became to their Arabic cousins.

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85:0.4 At one time or another mortal man has worshiped everything on the face of the earth, including himself. He has also worshiped about everything imaginable in the sky and beneath the surface of the earth. Primitive man feared all manifestations of power; he worshiped every natural phenomenon he could not comprehend. The observation of powerful natural forces, such as storms, floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, fire, heat, and cold, greatly impressed the expanding mind of man. The inexplicable things of life are still termed “acts of God” and “mysterious dispensations of Providence.”

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The people of those times knew not the causes of natural forces. Perhaps they could not possibly grasp the fact that a *universe* had a creative Parent who is in the center of it. They probably had no idea of *universe* as we understand it today.
MaraParticipant
Jun 7, 2017, 6:24 PM
Is the Lord’s prayer a parable prayer?
BonitaParticipant
Jun 7, 2017, 8:47 PM

Mara wrote: Maybe through the discoveries of science in modern times the revelators granted us these prayer glimpses. Maybe we earned them through the hard work of scientific discovery, as in such fields as physics, astrophysics, geology, cartography, chemistry and so on.

Not meaning to be a nitpicker, but those aren’t truths, they’re facts. Quote 48:6.21 is talking about slowly emerging truths, not facts. I would hope that mankind has progressed spiritually in the last two thousand years, which is what I think they’re talking about in that quote.

The people living in the first Century knew about planets. They were believers in astrology which was the forerunner of astronomy.

121:5.5 3. Astrology. This pseudo science of Babylon developed into a religion throughout the Greco-Roman Empire. Even in the twentieth century man has not been fully delivered from this superstitious belief.

88:6.5 Belief in astrology led to the development of astronomy; . . .

I think the parable prayers are meant to be sources of illumination of the mind in regards to the proper attitude toward spirit. For instance, the second prayer illustrates that we humans can hope to have a character like God’s character. In fact it asks God to bestow his nature and give his character. I think that’s a little radical, don’t you? True, first century people believed that their kings and rulers were divine, but for the average human being to ask for such a thing? It may have been too much. I mean, even Jesus got a slap down for claiming such things for himself.
BonitaParticipant
Jun 7, 2017, 8:48 PM

Mara wrote:

Is the Lord’s prayer a parable prayer?

I think so.
MaraParticipant
Jun 7, 2017, 10:32 PM

Bonita wrote:

Not meaning to be a nitpicker, but those aren’t truths, they’re facts.

No problem. By suggesting the discoveries of science (“. . . we earned them through the hard work of scientific discovery, as in such fields as physics, astrophysics, geology, cartography, chemistry and so on”) as a possible reason the revelators included these prayers, I am also suggesting that knowledge of the physical sciences change, as our scientific development goes forward.

101:4.2 Mankind should understand that we who participate in the revelation of truth are very rigorously limited by the instructions of our superiors. We are not at liberty to anticipate the scientific discoveries of a thousand years. Revelators must act in accordance with the instructions which form a part of the revelation mandate. We see no way of overcoming this difficulty, either now or at any future time. We full well know that, while the historic facts and religious truths of this series of revelatory presentations will stand on the records of the ages to come, within a few short years many of our statements regarding the physical sciences will stand in need of revision in consequence of additional scientific developments and new discoveries. These new developments we even now foresee, but we are forbidden to include such humanly undiscovered facts in the revelatory records. Let it be made clear that revelations are not necessarily inspired. The cosmology of these revelations is not inspired. It is limited by our permission for the co-ordination and sorting of present-day knowledge. While divine or spiritual insight is a gift, human wisdom must evolve.

Truths and meanings evolve too. Jesus did not over-teach. He did not, as far as I know, tell the apostles the causes of volcanoes or earthquakes for example. They did not know about *the forces of light* in prayer one, for example. Did they know about the *universe* in prayer two? Knowledge of the forces of light and knowledge of the physical universe/s, for example, would be factual overload it seems to me. Did the apostles and people have trouble with the Lord’s Prayer where is says, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done . . . .”? And he later taught the kingdom idea in terms of the family relationship. The kingdom idea did stick, but the crucified, resurrected Christ became the focus, along with the idea Christ would soon return. “Our creative Parent, who is in the center of the universe” is new even in our times.

Our creative Parent, who is in the center of the universe,

Bestow upon us your nature and give to us your character.

Make us sons and daughters of yours by grace

And glorify your name through our eternal achievement.

Your adjusting and controlling spirit give to live and dwell within us

That we may do your will on this sphere as angels do your bidding in light.

Sustain us this day in our progress along the path of truth.

Deliver us from inertia, evil, and all sinful transgression.

Be patient with us as we show loving-kindness to our fellows.

Shed abroad the spirit of your mercy in our creature hearts.

Lead us by your own hand, step by step, through the uncertain maze of life,

And when our end shall come, receive into your own bosom our faithful spirits.

Even so, not our desires but your will be done.

I wonder what Jesus was illustrating to the apostles when he shared these prayers?
Van AmadonParticipant
Jun 7, 2017, 10:37 PM
(1:2.8) Those who know God have experienced the fact of his presence; such God-knowing mortals hold in their personal experience the only positive proof of the existence of the living God which one human being can offer to another. The existence of God is utterly beyond all possibility of demonstration except for the contact between the God-consciousness of the human mind and the God-presence of the Thought Adjuster that indwells the mortal intellect and is bestowed upon man as the free gift of the Universal Father.

Everything that exists, has been given to us by God.

Except what he needs us to give to him.

What the average human being is capable of doing, isn’t too much to ask.
BonitaParticipant
Jun 8, 2017, 1:37 PM
Jesus said:

“To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to the undiscerning multitudes and to those who seek our destruction, from now on, the mysteries of the kingdom shall be presented in parables.” (151:1.4)

Parables illustrate the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”. They were NOT meant to reveal the mysteries of mother earth.
BonitaParticipant
Jun 8, 2017, 1:39 PM

Van Amadon wrote:

Everything that exists, has been given to us by God. Except what he needs us to give to him. What the average human being is capable of doing, isn’t too much to ask.

[Reply edited by Moderator-1]
BradlyParticipant
Jun 8, 2017, 3:18 PM
Compared to the LP, these others indicate a much higher knowledge of realities. Note that “many” are from other material/mortal worlds. But not all. Yet all 7 seem to penetrate deeper into the relationship between Creator and created don’t you think? We’re told Jesus did not share the sources of these prayers with the Apostles….even in his “intimate” instructions….but he did teach with these prayers.

144:5.26 – 37

Our perfect and righteous heavenly Father,

This day guide and direct our journey.

Sanctify our steps and co-ordinate our thoughts.

Ever lead us in the ways of eternal progress.

Fill us with wisdom to the fullness of power

And vitalize us with your infinite energy.

Inspire us with the divine consciousness of

The presence and guidance of the seraphic hosts.

Guide us ever upward in the pathway of light;

Justify us fully in the day of the great judgment.

Make us like yourself in eternal glory

And receive us into your endless service on high.

"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
BonitaParticipant
Jun 8, 2017, 3:53 PM

This is pretty radical:

Inspire us with the divine consciousness of

The presence and guidance of the seraphic hosts.

Consciousness of the presence of angels? Cool.
BradlyParticipant
Jun 8, 2017, 4:21 PM
This seems so much more personal and illustrates such a direct relationship between God and mortal.

This day guide and direct our journey.
Sanctify our steps and co-ordinate our thoughts.
Ever lead us in the ways of eternal progress.

And from the prior posted prayer:

Your adjusting and controlling spirit give to live and dwell within us
That we may do your will on this sphere as angels do your bidding in light.

"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
BonitaParticipant
Jun 8, 2017, 7:49 PM
Yeah . . . I’m struck by the mention of coordinating our thoughts. (You know I’m fascinated with the mind so I tend to dwell on these things.) Obviously they’re referring to the Adjusters/Controllers. Just how is this coordination accomplished? Coordination with what? I suppose coordinated with reality, right? What an amazing job the Adjuster has! And those reality responses too! How many of our thoughts randomly fly off into never-never land, avoiding mind gravity and spirit gravity? In my case, I think it happens a lot more than I realize. Prayerful living is the only answer for staying focused, as far as I’m concerned. I suppose this is one of the mysteries of the kingdom. I know the gnostics went to town speculating with this sort of thing, and perhaps because the time wasn’t right. But now it is right . . . so I think reviewing these prayers is a good thing.
MaraParticipant
Jun 9, 2017, 2:44 PM

Bradly wrote:

Note that “many” are from other material/mortal worlds. But not all.

Maybe what he said was intended for the inspiration and edification of other worlds. But now in our times, due to the discoveries of science, we know about the galaxies of space and the properties of light and so on which knowledge is stimulative of the possibility that other planets (worlds) might foster living things. I am again suggesting that the reason these prayers were included in the UB might in part at least be due to our advancing knowledge of space and the possibility of discovering other life out there. Other worlds.

141:7.7 The Master was teaching these apostles the essentials of truth for an entire age on earth. They often listened to his teachings when in reality what he said was intended for the inspiration and edification of other worlds. He exemplified a new and original plan of life. From the human standpoint he was indeed a Jew, but he lived his life for all the world as a mortal of the realm.
BradlyParticipant
Jun 9, 2017, 6:08 PM
I think many people have embraced the Lord’s Prayer example/template to form more appropriate attitude and prayer habits since those long ago days it was given by Jesus. Still, so many pray the more primitive forms of self centered petitions and fear based supplications. The prayers Jesus taught elevate thinking to whole new levels of relationship by the believer to God and to others.

I was taught as a child that prayer was an opportunity for thanksgiving and for sharing the joys of life and the struggles and confusions…but the prayer for others was central to any petitions…for myself I was taught to pray for understanding, compassion, forgiveness of others, courage, faith, and the skills to serve the Lord with joy.

Pretty good perspective for a bunch of dirt farmers scratching a subsistence living while celebrating life with God in his wondrous creation. Daily bread without anxiety but faith that all things will be good in the Kingdom of God….no matter the struggles, hardships, and failures of the day.

“Seek first the kingdom of God, and when you have found entrance thereto, all things needful shall be added to you. Be not, therefore, unduly anxious for the morrow. Sufficient for the day is the trouble thereof.”

"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
BonitaParticipant
Jun 10, 2017, 12:34 PM
TUB has taught us a great deal about prayer, but I won’t dissuade people from any kind of prayer, even if it is self-centered, as long as they don’t blame God for not getting answers to selfish prayers, but themselves instead. I think any kind of praying is better than no praying, (that is, unless it’s mean spirited and motivated by hate or revenge). I mean, I still find myself praying for my team to win even though I know it’s stupid and childish. It’s a kind of hope and sharing hope with God is not all that bad, even though he doesn’t have favorites . . . he does listen well, and that matters. I think it only crosses the line when you expect magic and miracles. Although, even hoping for miracles can be a good thing if it isn’t at the expense of practical measures.

But these parable prayers offer us more insight into how to elevate prayer and develop an mindfulness toward Deity and divinity. The next prayer says that our Father is IN the mystery. That’s a cool perspective. There’s an actual person IN the mystery and the mystery is in our heads. It reminds me a little of the Christian mysticism book, The Cloud of Unknowing. I think revelation is what unclouds the mystery into knowing God and his nature. Funny how the gnostics got that all mixed up. It’s all about the person in the mystery, not the knowledge in the mystery. And most importantly we access the mystery through prayerful thinking WITH another person, a divine person, which is why the alter ego approach works so well.

144:5.36-50

Our Father who is in the mystery,

Reveal to us your holy character.

Give your children on earth this day

To see the way, the light, and the truth.

Show us the pathway of eternal progress

And give us the will to walk therein.

Establish within us your divine kingship

And thereby bestow upon us the full mastery of self.

Let us not stray into paths of darkness and death;

Lead us everlastingly beside the waters of life.

Hear these our prayers for your own sake;

Be pleased to make us more and more like yourself.

At the end, for the sake of the divine Son,

Receive us into the eternal arms.

Even so, not our will but yours be done.
BradlyParticipant
Jul 8, 2017, 9:52 PM
Another parable anyone? Always liked this one….reminds me of the Apostles constantly bickering over their place at the table and beside the throne…which as we discussed in the foot washing, they never did seem to understand that the rewards of faith are the same for all, no matter how long one has had faith or how recently they found it….once we choose love and service our reward is certain, generous, and not measured by ‘time’ but, rather, by eternity itself!! Can anyone else relate this story to pride and humility?

163:3.4 (1804.1) And then said Peter, “But, Master, we have left everything to follow you, what then shall we have?” And Jesus spoke to all of the twelve: “Verily, verily, I say to you, there is no man who has left wealth, home, wife, brethren, parents, or children for my sake and for the sake of the kingdom of heaven who shall not receive manifold more in this world, perhaps with some persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. But many who are first shall be last, while the last shall often be first. The Father deals with his creatures in accordance with their needs and in obedience to his just laws of merciful and loving consideration for the welfare of a universe.

163:3.5 (1804.2) “The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who was a large employer of men, and who went out early in the morning to hire laborers to work in his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers to pay them a denarius a day, he sent them into the vineyard. Then he went out about nine o’clock, and seeing others standing in the market place idle, he said to them: ‘Go you also to work in my vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will pay you.’ And they went at once to work. Again he went out about twelve and about three and did likewise. And going to the market place about five in the afternoon, he found still others standing idle, and he inquired of them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all the day?’ And the men answered, ‘Because nobody has hired us.’ Then said the householder: ‘Go you also to work in my vineyard, and whatever is right I will pay you.’

163:3.6 (1804.3) “When evening came, this owner of the vineyard said to his steward: ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last hired and ending with the first.’ When those who were hired about five o’clock came, they received a denarius each, and so it was with each of the other laborers. When the men who were hired at the beginning of the day saw how the later comers were paid, they expected to receive more than the amount agreed upon. But like the others every man received only a denarius. And when each had received his pay, they complained to the householder, saying: ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour, and yet you have paid them the same as us who have borne the burden of the day in the scorching sun.’

163:3.7 (1804.4) “Then answered the householder: ‘My friends, I do you no wrong. Did not each of you agree to work for a denarius a day? Take now that which is yours and go your way, for it is my desire to give to those who came last as much as I have given to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? or do you begrudge my generosity because I desire to be good and to show mercy?’”

"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
BonitaParticipant
Jul 9, 2017, 1:10 PM
Certainly, God is no respecter of persons. All of his sons get the same gifts as long as they are willing to serve (work) in his kingdom. Even faith, the worker’s ticket into the kingdom, is a gift from God.

Bradly wrote:

Can anyone else relate this story to pride and humility?

So, you’re saying that those who balked at the idea of part-time workers being paid the same as full-time workers are proud? Aren’t they just like the brother in the prodigal son parable? And yes, like the apostles competing for recognition? Aren’t they all complaining about not getting preferential treatment because of their loyalty and hard work?

I’m not sure that’s pride. I think it can be referred to affectionately as stupidity. It’s a lack of understanding of how the universe works, a maladaptive sense of fairness and an animalistic urge for competitiveness. I think it’s erroneous thinking and potentially evil, but only because of its immaturity.

I think pride has more to do with thinking you’re someone special and deserve preferential treatment because you have more value than any other person. (Read into that what you like.) I think the parables are about people who think their loyalty and work is more valuable, not necessarily they, themselves. I think it grows from that old idea that good deeds make the man, that you can buy your salvation by currying favor with the boss. Jesus had a hard time rectifying that myth.

150.5.5 In summing up his final statement, Jesus said: “You cannot buy salvation; you cannot earn righteousness. Salvation is the gift of God, and righteousness is the natural fruit of the spirit-born life of sonship in the kingdom. You are not to be saved because you live a righteous life; rather is it that you live a righteous life because you have already been saved, have recognized sonship as the gift of God and service in the kingdom as the supreme delight of life on earth. When men believe this gospel, which is a revelation of the goodness of God, they will be led to voluntary repentance of all known sin. Realization of sonship is incompatible with the desire to sin. Kingdom believers hunger for righteousness and thirst for divine perfection.”
BradlyParticipant
Jul 11, 2017, 4:59 PM
Thanks Bonita!

I agree that pride and humility may be misguided interpretations on my part. “Stupidity” indeed…”affectionately” though! Hahaha…

Perhaps ‘entitlement’ is a better way to think of the disgruntled workers? There is a perceived unfairness on the part of the earlier workers, despite the fact that they received all that was promised and due….they are now owed more or the part timers less for ‘fair’ payment for the work performed.

I appreciate your perspective Bonita. Still pondering in my consideration of the meaning.

"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
BonitaParticipant
Jul 11, 2017, 7:11 PM
Fairness is an interesting topic in and of itself. Fairness is a relative term and it’s tied to mercy and justice. I don’t think humans quite grasp the true meaning of fairness. I don’t think you can really appreciate it without having an expanded viewpoint . . . that fatherly love viewpoint explained by Jesus.

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