Article June 26, 1943 Issue

A Modern Parable

PERRY H. RADCLIFFE

Among the best-known and most instructive teachings of the Master are his parables. The stories of the prodigal, of the sower, and of the good Samaritan have been repeated and loved by generations of Christians, and have never failed to carry their messages of inspiration and deep spiritual meaning. The form which the Master found so effective may properly be used today by his followers, in all humility and reverence, as one of the best ways of teaching a spiritual lesson to humanity.

A modern parable might be something like this: Behold, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who had inherited from his father a rich estate. Before he had made formal claim to this estate, there came to his home a person of doubtful reputation who said to him: "This estate is not yours. You have been separated from your father for years, and he has long since disowned you. You may imagine yourself to be rich, but you are poor indeed." To this the man replied: "Every word which you have uttered is false. This birthright is mine, and I intend to claim it. My father would never disown me, no matter what may have seemed to separate us, for it is not in his loving nature to take away what he has once given. I shall appeal to the law of justice to give me my inheritance." .

Like the man in the parable, we need to claim our spiritual birthright. The fact that we have such a birthright is clearly stated by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Man's life, his consciousness, individuality, his very existence, is derived from the Father. And because of the spiritual nature of his origin, his life is not at the mercy of matter; he is not subject to sin, weariness, weakness, pain, or disease. It is our right, then, to possess health, abounding energy, perfect faculties, complete freedom from worry and fear.

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