Parables and Allegories

Do you ever wonder if there was someone in the audience during the Allegory of the Olive Tree who leaned over to their friend and said, "But, I don't even like olives."

"I'm confused," said another, "Is this about the gentiles? I just wish they'd say 'gentiles' instead of branches."

And then another friend said, "I wish they'd choose one side or another--is this about the House of Israel or the gentiles? How does grafting even apply?"
"Yeah," one responded, "I'm sick of people talking about gentiles."

Someone else whispered, "I'm pretty sure they're supposed to graft during the fall months, have they talked about that? It's important that grafting happens in cool weather."

"Is there good soil under that tree? Did they water the trees enough? They should really do a better job of cleaning up that vineyard because it sounds messy."

"House of Israel? Do they mean an actual house? Because I love houses that have brick mixed with clapboard."

"A house is not the same as a tree; this is such a stupid analogy."

"This doesn't apply to me because I'm a weaver."

"Vineyard? This sounds like an orchard, can they just call it what it is?"

"Olive oil is healthy! I think we should use more of it!"

"If gentiles join the House of Israel I'm going to be seriously pissed!"



Now that I think about it, it's a wonder that the storyteller ever completed his allegory.