The Gospels refer to the stories of Jesus as parables. Parable comes from a Greek term (parabole) used to describe an illustrative story that creates a vibrant contrast or image for the listener. In some cases, it creates nothing more than a word picture: “None of you lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead you put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light” (Luke 11:33). In other cases it may be a narrative or