Cinderella As A Parable

I wonder if the story of Cinderella is one that Jesus might tell as a parable about the Kingdom of God. Maybe.

The Kingdom of God is like a humble, hard-working servant girl. Both her parents had passed away and she was left to live in her parents' wonderful home with a cruel step-mother and her evil step-sisters. They treated the girl, Cinderella, with no kindness. They mocked her, belittled her, and amused themselves by reminding her that she was a low, useless servant.

Cinderella accepted all this punishment gracefully, echoing the words of her mother daily. "Have courage. Be kind." These words powered her through her toil, as did the memory of her mother and father. In these memories, she kept alive a life of joy, kindness, cheer, and gentleness that had since been robbed from her in the most severe manner. Cinderella was living in agony where once celebration had been.

Cinderella worked hard to serve her step-family, as they pushed her more and more to work harder and to live farther from happiness. She was exiled to live in the attic of the home, yet even there she chose joy instead of anger, hatred, and fear. Her step-family was undeserving of such a kind and hard-working soul, and even more, they treated her as a slave. Yet, she toiled on, serving with courage and kindness.

One day, as if it were in a fairy tale, Cinderella was out riding her horse and happened upon a charming young man. She discovered that he was an apprentice in the castle. Though their meeting was short, it would not be short-lived. Neither ceased in thought of the other, and each dreamed and hoped for another meeting, though neither knew the identity of the other. The apprentice from the castle, as we all well know, was in fact the prince of the kingdom. He was a kind and brave man, who loved his father and his kingdom well.

Not a fortnight later, the word rang through the kingdom that a grand ball would be held, and all were invited to the King's Home. The best clothes were donned, the most celebratory feast was prepared, all under the guise of the prince's search for this damsel who had galloped off all too quickly that day in the woods. That night, at the ball, the prince was to choose his wife, and together they would soon rule this humble kingdom.

Cinderella endeavored to go to the ball, but was greatly hindered by her step-mother and step-sisters. The evil step-mother dreamed of one of her daughters being chosen by the prince. All her energy went towards conniving her daughters into further fortune for her own benefit, thus this ball became her chief focus. Cinderella was overrun with her chores for her family, preparing them for this ball that was thrown for her, though she knew it not.

The day of the ball came, and the step-family prepared for the ball. They got into their exuberant gowns and were set to dash off in their carriage, when they noticed that Cinderella intended to go as well. Laughing, they dismissed her hopes and quickly tore at Cinderella's dress. This drove Cinderella to tears, and she escaped away to the backyard to find sorrow and solace together. Eventually, her fairy godmother arrived and enable Cinderella to go to the ball by equipping with with everything she needed, carriage, gown, glass slippers, and all.

Cinderella arrived at the ball, stunning everyone. She was the most beautiful guest, and the prince recognized her as the beautiful girl he had met in the forest. He went to her, they danced and had a wonderful night at the ball. The prince was set to choose her as his queen, to marry her and welcome her into his kingdom. But the magic of the fairy godmother expired at midnight, and thus Cinderella escaped the castle before the clock struck twelve, not thinking the prince would love her outside of her magical gown and accessories. As she raced away, one of her glass slippers came off and she left it behind in her haste.

The prince recovered the glass slipper as he chased after the woman he hoped would be his queen as she drove away into the night in her pumpkin carriage drawn by mice. In the following days, the prince ordered that every woman in the land try on the glass slipper; he searched for his bride. Every woman of the proper age tried on the slipper, yet none could be found as the bride the prince sought. He searched for days with all his horses and men, hoping to find this beautiful bride.

As he and his company came to the last home, hope looked lost to most. But still, the prince and his loyal subjects kept hope. Cinderella's two step-sisters, villainous as they were, tried on the glass slipper. Neither could fit, and the evil step-mother ushered the search party out of her home. Then, as if by design, a captain of the guard asked if there was another young lady there. They found Cinderella herself, against the wishes of her evil step-family, even though Cinderella had always treated them with kindness.

Cinderella came down from her attic, and saw the prince whom she hoped to see. He smiled, and kindly urged the slipper be placed on the foot of this soon-to-be queen. The glass slipper, as we well know, fit perfectly. This girl, who the prince had relentlessly sought, was found. She would be royalty with him, and that only by his love.

This royal tale is one not so unlike the life that we lead with Jesus as our King. Our King searches for us, he desires to be with us, he wants us to participate in his kingdom with him. We are not royal apart from him. Rather, we are liberated from the tyranny of sin by his loving sacrifice which makes us new and gives us new life in his kingdom.

Cinderella was trapped in with her evil step-family and was liberated by the king whose relentless pursuit found her. Our King searches for us, his bride.



Read Luke 15 and Ephesians 5 to see these scenarios played out in parables and teaching.