*Parable

When I saw the clip-art of Jesus and child I knew it was just the one for this topic.

         

 

Matthew 18:2-3
² He called a child,
whom he put among them,
³ and said, "Truly I tell you,   
unless you change and
become like children,
you will never enter
the kingdom of heaven”.

The Matthew passage demonstrates that Jesus not only liked children, but the user-friendly attitude necessary if we are to understand his teachings and how the unity of transformation is accomplished: come as an innocent child open to change. We are to take it as encouragement to surrender our agendas and allow Jesus’ teachings to penetrate to the bone. In that milieu we can receive his teachings readily and in turn share them with others.

Jesus made parable the central method of his teachings. When approached regarding a cultural or religious question, he framed his answer in the form of a story. The story was fiction but the truth would be evident if the listener would absorb it, think about it, put him/herself in the story, and through acceptance as a child, allow it to work within his spirit. What is the  quintessential question from an inquisitive child: "Why?"  We should ask Why until we get a satisfactory answer from our teachers. If they represent Jesus as they claim, a satisfying answer will be forthcoming. If not, find another teacher.

Transformation is that unifying Aha! moment when the question and answer come together in the manner in which our spirit receives it. It's life-changing and the earth is better for it.