I N ATTEMPTING TO recover the original significance of the par-
ables, one thing above all becomes evident: it is that all the
parables of Jesus compel his hearers to come to a decision about
his person and mission. ¹ For they are all full of 'the secret of the
Kingdom of God' ( Mark 4.11), ² that is to say, the recognition of 'an
eschatology that is in process of realization.' ³ The hour of fulfilment
is come, that is the urgent note that sounds through them all. The
strong man is disarmed, the forces of evil are in retreat, the physician
has come to the sick, the lepers are cleansed, the heavy burden of
guilt is removed, the lost sheep has been brought home, the door of
the Father's House stands open, the poor and the beggars are sum-
moned to the banquet, a master whose grace is undeserved pays his
wages in full, a great joy fills all hearts. God's acceptable year has
come. For he has been manifested whose veiled kingliness shines
through every word and through every parable--the Saviour.

-230-