Parables

Jim and Bob learn about...

...Parables

Bob: Hey Jim!

Jim: Hey Bob! What’cha reading?

Bob: Oh. I’m reading about the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Jim: You’re reading about a pear and a good Salmonella?

Bob: No! Not a pear. A parable. Parables were stories Jesus told. They weren’t true, but they made a point that we can understand.

Jim: Like what?

Bob: Well, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan.

Jim: I think I've heard of that. Wasn't that about a guy on the road?

Bob: Sorta. See, the story goes like this: There were two different groups of people: Jews, and Samaritans. And they didn’t like each other.

Jim: So, they’re like enemies?

Bob: Sorta. Anyway, the story says that a Jewish man was walking down the road, when a couple of thieves jumped him. The beat him, and stole his money and robe. Then they left him on the road, lying there.

Jim: (gasp) Oh no! What happened?

Bob: Well, this guy is just laying there on the road. He can’t even get up. That’s when he hears somebody coming.

Jim: Oh no! Was it the thieves?

Bob: Nope. It was a priest. They were godly people, and the man on the road was sure this priest would help him.

Jim: Hooray!

Bob: Only he didn’t.

Jim: WHAT?!

Bob: I know. He just passed him on the other side of the road.

Jim: Why?

Bob: Well, this is a parable. It isn’t true. But it may have been that the priest in the story was busy, or maybe he was just selfish.

Jim: Oh. Ok. Continue.

Bob: Well, this guy is lying there in the road, moaning. He was sure the priest was going to help him. Only he didn’t. Then he hears someone else on the road.

Jim: (gasp) Was it the priest?

Bob: No! It was a Levite. Levites were Jews, and so was the man on the road.

Jim: So the Levite helped him?

Bob: (intakes breath) No.

Jim: WHAT?! WHY NOT?!

Bob: Like last time, no one actually knows. He just passed this injured man.

Jim: Poor guy.

Bob: I know. And he must have felt really miserable when he saw who was coming next.

Jim: Who was it?

Bob: A Samaritan.

Jim: (gasp) That’s the Jews’ enemy!

Bob: I know! The Jew must have been pretty scared.

Jim: You’re telling me! (hesitates) Although I never get scared!

Bob: (looks away) Look! A Samaritan!

Jim: AHHHH! (Hides) (Pops back up) Seriously?

Bob: (laugh) Works every time. Anyway, this Samaritan finds this Jew laying on the ground.

Jim: Does he finish him off?

Bob: No. He picks him up. And carries him to an inn. And pays for the rent.

Jim: WHAT?! I thought Jews and Samaritans didn’t like each other?!

Bob: They didn’t. But in this parable, the Samaritan had understood what Jesus was trying to teach the people.

Jim: What was that?

Bob: “Love your Neighbor as yourself.”

Jim: And who is my neighbor?

Bob: Everyone! Everyone is your neighbor!

Jim: So I should love…everybody as myself?

Bob: That’s right!

Jim: Wow. That’s really cool, Bob!

Bob: It is, isn’t it, kids? (wait for answer) But I think we’re outta time.

Jim: Aw, man.

Both: Bye kids!

END SKIT