What is Jesus saying? Is He the enemy of religious leaders? Does a life of religious devotion mean nothing? Does God not credit us for abstaining from evil (thievery, adultery, etc.)? Does He not commend us for the good deeds we do (fasting, tithing, etc.)?

Having spent a lifetime in the pursuit of goodness, are we to find ourselves barred from heaven, while wicked, unjust, and unethical people are welcomed at heaven's gate? That doesn't seem fair. This sense of injustice helps to identify the "plot" of the parable -- and the sermon. Eugene Lowry reminds us that narrative sermons move "from opening disequilibrium through escalation of conflict to surprising reversal to closing denouement (in which the table of life gets set for us in a new way by the gospel)."16 The preacher might well generate that "disequilibrium" by retelling the parable with some contemporary points of reference.

Contemporary "Points of Reference"

Two people went into a church building to pray; one was a church elder, the other a prostitute. They were shocked when the Lord verbally responded to their prayers.

Elder Edwards: "Lord, I had some free time and wanted to drop by and let You know how my Christian life is going. Actually, I am fairly pleased. The Christian life takes a lot of dedication, but I'm willing to pay the price. I know You hear me when I pray."

The Lord: "I not only hear; sometimes I talk to people who pray."

Elder Edwards: "LORD! IS THAT YOU? What a shock! I did not expect to hear Your voice. Why are You speaking to me?"

The Lord: "I would like to ask you some questions."

Elder Edwards: "Of course, Lord. Anything at all."

The Lord: "Elder Edwards, you have been a church member all your life?"

Elder Edwards: "Yes, Lord! I have been an elder for forty-two years at First Church in Graysville. I have never received less than 82% of the congregational vote. I don't think any of the other elders have even come close to that percentage."

The Lord: "You're faithful in Church and Sunday School attendance?"

Elder Edwards: "You can say that again! I have so many perfect attendance pins, I quit wearing them; I didn't want anybody to think I was being prideful. I had them framed and hung in my living room."

The Lord: "You are a man of prayer?"

Elder Edwards: "Absolutely! My piety is beyond question. When people have prayer needs, they bring them to me. When I lead the congregation in prayer, I spend hours crafting my prayers. When people compliment me, I pass the compliment on to You. I tell them, 'Just like I do, give your best to The Lord; that's the only way!'"

The Lord: "You read your Bible on a regular basis?"

Elder Edwards: "I have participated in our church's 'Read-Your-Bible-In-A-Year-Program' eighteen times. No one else has even come close!"

The Lord: "You share your faith with non-Christians and let them know about my Son?"

Elder Edwards: "You bett'ya! I tell it straight: 'Change your ways or chance the fire!' You'd better repent because my God don't brook no sinners!'"