The economy of Jesus’ world was rigged in favor of the wealthiest in society. Our interpretive lens of this parable has been shaped by our American values. But when we use a new lens, we see the parable from Jesus’ commitment to refuse to engage in an exploitative economy where people are harmed.
On page after page of the Gospels we find Jesus healing the sick and performing other miracles. It’s often said that he performed these deeds as a way of showing who he was – God in human skin. Looking at them this way, we learn that Jesus performed these miracles and that is further proof…
Jonah resisted the call to preach in Nineveh because he knew in his bones that God wouldn’t destroy them, but that God brims with love and compassion, even for his enemies. Reading with an adult lens, this story will challenge us to see God, ourselves and our relationship with our enemies differently.
Midrash, an ancient art form that loves Scripture and seeks to engage it seriously and creatively, will invite us to see the story of the Biding of Isaac as an invitation to think about God differently.