The Meanings of Parables

This week, we're learning about the parables of Jesus Christ. These are all semi-abstract stories with moral lessons that are mostly up to the readers to find. Some of the parables are given clear interpretations, but some aren't, so the reader has to find out the meanings of those parables themselves. This generally results in parables taking on whatever meanings convey the messages the readers need to hear. Even the ones that have clear interpretations can also have other interpretations, depending on the readers' creativity and/or needs. That is, I think, part of the reason Christ taught in parables so often, so they can be interpreted and reinterpreted by each reader, and so each parable can mean whatever the readers need them to mean. I'm glad that not all of the lessons in the Bible are rigid and specific. Sometimes, people need answers to questions that don't often come up in The Bible. In those cases, we can turn to parables, even the interpreted ones, and possible be inspired with whatever meanings  we happen to need.