Lord Jesus often used parables, metaphors and
analogies to make a point. In speaking on
the topic of clothing, for example, He used the example of the lilies of the
field which neither toil nor spin, yet King Solomon in all his glory was never
clothed as beautifully as one of them. In
discussing providence, Jesus noted how the birds of the air survive without
gathering food into barns. He then posed
a simple question: Are you less worthy
than birds? He makes us understand that we
tend to worry too much. Jesus explained
that wherever our hearts are, there too is our treasure, be it tangible or not. He was also clear that whatever proceeds from
our mouths proceeds from the heart, that a person's words reveal one's
character. Jesus justified prayer and
mercy for all people on the basis of the elements, sunshine and rain, which
fall on everyone the same. Jesus had
many metaphors and similes to describe hypocrites: serpents, broods of vipers, whitewashed
tombs, clean on the outside but filled with decay inside. In their fastidious observance of fussy laws
but not of more important ones, Jesus accused the hypocrites of "straining
out a gnat and swallowing a camel". Yet not all of Jesus' metaphors are so instantly
clear. Some of them invite years of reflection. In talking about His followers, He used such
descriptions as "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the
world". Salt, Jesus explained, has
value only as long as it stays salty; light is useful only as long as it is not
hidden. In this way, Jesus urged His
followers to stay true to the nature of their beliefs, lest their faith end up
underfoot like ruined salt or closed away, useless, in the dark. He often spoke in terms of hierarchies, as in
the first someday being the last and vice-versa. In Matthew 21: 26-27, we find a metaphor
which challenges the normal order of things: ". . . but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever
would be first among you must be your slave." Such metaphors require contemplation. Jesus was saying that unlike the normal
hierarchy observed among Gentiles, perhaps referring to Rome and its patricians,
the followers of the Messiah were to respect the humblest members of society and
to promote the meekest. Not surprisingly,
Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst
of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." These are perfectly clear similes, yet we
must ruminate on what kind of tactics Jesus was imagining. Today Jesus' followers are living in a world where
deceit, propaganda, materialism and brute force still hold sway, and where some
of the most influential "Christians" are proven predators. One of my own favorite figures of speech used
by Jesus has to do with recognizing a person's real intent. Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-20, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from
thistles? So, every sound tree bears
good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit." Our task now is to determine what denotes good
and evil fruit. On both the micro and macro
scales, I think it is fair to say that anything that helps to make us whole and
healthy is good fruit, in reference to individuals as well as communities. Unoffensive speech, honesty, respect for
others' rights, tolerance, courtesy, kindness, defense of the weak and the poor,
a sense of fair play, the willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue--these are
all good fruits. Hanging on the other
tree, the bad tree, is every "evil fruit" that serves only to create
dis-ease both in individuals and in society at large. Among such rotten influences we can identify
offensive speech, dishonesty, intimidation, disregard for human rights, racial
and religious intolerance, cheating the weak and the poor, duplicity, treachery,
and the incitement, subtle or overt, to commit acts of violence. Jesus' metaphor holds water. You will
know them by their fruits. His was such
an obvious message about false prophets, indeed, about anyone who would lead or
preach or teach. This seasoned metaphor about
good fruits and bad fruits is an evergreen rule of thumb for every individual,
every religion and every nation. UN’AMERICANA A VENEZIA
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