Holiness Parables

This is a work in progress.  I will blog the lessons learned as I write this book.

Why did Jesus use the title “Son of Man” so often?  Some theologians tie it to the Book of Enoch, a Jewish apocryphal written around 200 BC.  It was a very popular book at the time of Jesus and a few New Testament quotes originate there.  Part of the story described the end times where the “Son of Man” will proclaim peace, destroy evil, and begin the next “world.”  Today’s end times stories carry the same message.  We believe in God, so we are good.  Everyone else is evil or at least wrong.  God gives the new earth to His people and everyone else goes to Hell.

Except that is not exactly what Jesus taught.

Like all the prophets, Jesus used parables to convey deep meaning in a few words.  To get the full meaning the listener must choose to ponder what was said.  Jesus also tied all of His parables to the Old Testament, not Enoch.  Several prophets used the term, but God called Ezekiel “Son of Man.” ninety-five times.  That had to mean something.

Ezekiel’s message concerned the imminent end of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and the return of the remnant kept safe by God.  In using this term, Jesus told the people the same thing was about to happen.  However, the leaders refused to listen because they preferred the version that destroyed their enemies.  They thought of themselves as righteous, while their actions were as evil as their ancestors’ were.

Holiness Parables links the life and words of Jesus to the life and words of Ezekiel.  Jesus’ little stories suddenly provide greater cultural and prophetic depth.  The love and patience of God explains why punishment became necessary.  Our response is required.  Will I listen to Ezekiel and Jesus?  Will I let God instruct and mold me into His image?