the role of the lukan parables in terms of the purpose of luke's gospel

Jerusalem. Jesus’ goal in Luke is Jerusalem where he fulfills his , his death and
exaltation. The journeying Lord brings the gospel of peace, and in so doing, destroys Satan
and his arsenal of evil. In addition, from Old Testament models, Luke portrays Jesus’ role and
destiny in terms of the entire prophetic tradition, such as Moses, Elijah, David and the
Suffering Servant. What is more, for Luke, Jesus’ approach to, and entrance into Jerusalem
have obviously royal and Davidic implications. With respect to the Ecclesiological purpose,
Luke, through the travel narrative, also demonstrates how Jesus instructed his disciples and
confronted his adversaries, so that the results would serve as the Early Church. The Christian
life in the travel narrative can also be explained in the motifs of Jesus’ in 9:31, and a
way, and , in the Gospel of Luke and Acts. The Lukan travel narrative reminds
the reader of the Exodus from Egypt, with its impression of the aimless wandering of Israel
and the confrontations between Moses and the congregation which parallels the conflict
between Jesus and his followers in the Lukan travel narrative. Therefore, the travel narrative
functions as a new Exodus. All teaching during the new Exodus teaches Christians how to
serve their God, and how they should live their lives in the world. Likewise, the way, , is
a preparation of the disciples for the time of Jesus’ absence after his ascension. In the course
of the Journey, the disciples are prepared to be authentic witnesses of Jesus’ words and deeds.
At the same time, the way in the Journey becomes understood as a manner of living that
brings salvation to men, and furthermore demands a responsible attitude from men who try to
build up a new society and realize salvation for each other. In this respect, Jesus is the Guide
who has originated this living way through his death and resurrection by his journeying
among us.
From the theological themes of the Lukan Parables and the results of the examination of
the Lukan parables in the travel narrative, I have proposed ‘Perspectives on the Christian life’
as a unifying motif of the Lukan parables. This is because all of the Lukan parables in the
travel narrative are intimately related to instruction on the Christian life. Up until now,
research into the theme of the Christian life concerning the Lukan parables was made in
passing and it contributed little to an understanding of the role played by the Lukan parables
in the purpose of the Gospel of Luke as a whole. I have therefore, concretely delineated the
‘Perspective on the Christian Life’ by examining how Christians should live in the world
according to Jesus’ instruction, which emerges from the Lukan parables, especially in three
categories described in terms of relationships: The relationship with neighbours, the
relationship with material possessions, and the relationship with God. In the first place, the
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