more Jesus, less Paul

If you are like me, the faith that you were taught was based more on the teachings of Paul than Jesus. Why would that be? Why would the church lift up things Paul said more often that what Jesus said?

One reason is because Paul is more legalistic and the church could use that heaviness and guilt to keep people in line.

Another reason is because Paul is more black and white and Jesus often speaks in parables which have several possible interpretations. The church has never been high on open minded thinking.

Here is a list of Jesus' parables. How many of them do you know?

38 Parables of Jesus Overview Chart

1 New Cloth and New Wineskins Matthew 9:16–17 Mark 2:21–22 Luke 5:36–39
2 The Lamp On a Stand Matthew 5:14–16 Mark 4:21–25 Luke 8:16–18
3 The Wise and the Foolish Builders Matthew 7:24–27 Luke 6:47–49
4 The Two Debtors Luke 7:41–43
5 The Rich Fool Luke 12:16–21
6 The Watchful Servants Mark 13:34–37 Luke 12:35–40
7 The Faithful Servant Matthew 24:45-51 Luke 12:42–48
8 The Barren Fig Tree Luke 13:6–9
9 The Sower Matthew 13:3–23 Mark 4:3–20 Luke 8:5–15
10 The Weeds Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43
11 The Growing Seed Mark 4:26–29
12 The Mustard Seed Matthew 13:31–32 Mark 4:30–32 Luke 13:18–19
13 The Yeast Matthew 13:33 Luke 13:20–21
14 The Hidden Treasure and the Pearl Matthew 13:44–46
15 The Net Matthew 13:47–50
16 The Householder Matthew 13:52
17 The Lost Sheep Matthew 18:12–14 Luke 15:3–7
18 The Master and Servant Luke 17:7–10
19 The Unforgiving Servant Matthew 18:23–35
20 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30–37
21 The Friend at Night Luke 11:5–13
22 The Wedding Feast Luke 14:7–14
23 The Great Banquet Luke 14:16–24
24 The Tower Luke 14:28–33
25 The Lost Coin Luke 15:8–10
26 The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11–32
27 The Unjust Steward Luke 16:1–13
28 The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19–31
29 The Workers In the Vineyard Matthew 20:1–16
30 The Persistent Widow Luke 18:1–8
31 The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Luke 18:9–14
32 The Two Sons Matthew 21:28–32
33 The Tenants Matthew 21:33–44 Mark 12:1–11 Luke 20:9–18
34 The Wedding Banquet Matthew 22:1–14
35 The Fig Tree Matthew 24:32–35 Mark 13:28–31 Luke 21:29–33
36 The Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1–13
37 The Talents Matthew 25:14–30 Luke 19:12–27
38 The Sheep and Goats Matthew 25:31–46

May you find a revitalization of grace in your life through the stories of Jesus.

And while you are at it, let Paul go.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.