Stories for the Road: The Parables of Jesus. The Parable of The Shrewd Manager

August 11, 2024

Pastor Nate Roschen

If you’ve ever been to the zoo, then you’ve probably met a strange creature that I would call a “mopey zoo lion.” Mopey zoo lions are strange creatures because they are at the same time, the king of the jungle and a lazy and disinterested creature - an animal having an existential crisis. Mopey Zoo Lion Christianity ™ - a term I’m attempting to coin and get into widespread use, is a very real concern – so concerning that Christ addressed it 2,000 years ago. The parable we’ll be looking at this week, is called the parable of the shrewd manager. It is one of the most perplexing stories that Jesus ever tells – at least at first glance. But Jesus was concerned about His followers slipping into a sort of mopey zoo lion existence. Instead of being shrewd, cunning, and wise stewards – there is a real danger that followers of Christ can spend their time in complacency, sitting on fences, leading a lackadaisical life of “faith.” Join us this week as we look at what is perhaps Jesus’ most perplexing parable that is meant to move us to a creative, inspiring, and shrewd way of living. -Pastor Nate Roschen