One of the key reasons that the parables of Jesus were so effective as a vehicle for explaining the Kingdom of God to his listeners was that he used situations that were extremely familiar to them. He used scenarios and pictures from their daily lives.
Paul too, as he taught about the growth of our character, the way we think, make decisions and act, used pictures from everyday life. In the first century that was of fruiting trees and Roman soldiers. Encountering both of these things would have been an everyday occurrence for his listeners.
I have been pondering on the teaching Paul gave in Ephesians 6 about putting on the armour of God:
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
While I know there is great value in the imagery of armour in this passage, because I don’t see Roman soldiers on the street every day, I have to think about this a bit to get more than a superficial meaning from it. And I must confess that the first image my mind goes to is an image of medieval period armour, not Roman.
I have been wondering what everyday life scenarios Paul might possibly use today as a picture to describe the characteristics that God is growing in us by the Spirit and how we are needing to respond and put them to use?
Sit firm then, with the seatbelt of truth clicked into place, with the steering wheel of righteousness firmly gripped in both hands. Be fitted with tread that brings the readiness to respond which comes from the gospel of peace…….’
What pictures come to your mind?
Colleen
144 Sawyers Arms Road
Christchurch, New Zealand
+64 3 352 4227