Parables of Jesus The Ministry of Christ 7 th Bible New Testament Studies click here to begin

Table of Contents An Overview of Parables Parables of JESUS click here click here go back

An Overview of Parables Introduction Definition of a Parable The Purpose of Parables Interpretation of Parables return to first slide go back

Introduction “Why would you go to church?” you may hear many say today. In our days many turn their backs upon church. Sadly there are many youths among them. It is very difficult to find the causes. One of them is that many youths don’t recognize the benefit of attending church. What is the sense of it? It is good to consider this question for a moment.

You should add up about how many times you have attended church. Then you should ask yourself what you really gained from it. Has it truly changed your life and renewed it? Or, did it not? Probably there are many reasons to be found why a sermon makes so little impression. Maybe it is the sermon itself, or the minister … or, maybe yourself. It is best to start there. Maybe your thoughts were somewhere else. You may have been ashamed to listen seriously; what would your friends say if they discovered that you actually listened seriously. Maybe you had so many worries that you could never listen attentively. Or, … fill it in for yourself.

The Lord Jesus also addressed this problem. One of the best known parables of the Lord Jesus deal with this. The Lord Jesus told about a Sower who went out to sow. One part of the seed fell by the wayside and the birds ate it. A part fell on the rocky soil. It germinated but it withered when the heat of the day arrived. It had no depth. A part fell among thorns. Wheat and thorns grew up together. The thorns choked the wheat.

Maybe you recognize yourself in this parable. Did you at times hear the Word and fail to understand it? It probably did not remain long with you but you may have forgotten it soon. The devil took it away. Or, did you happen to think at times: That was a good sermon! The minister said it very well! You went home happy. However, you heard someone else complain about it. They thought you were funny to take it seriously. You did not want to be looked at and so you put it out of your mind. Or, do you resemble the seed that fell among thorns. Do you have so much on your mind and in your heart that the sermon went in one ear and out the other?

Yet … When the Word finds you, it becomes altogether different. The Lord Jesus continued this parable. There is also a part that fell into the good soil and it bore fruit: thirty, sixty, a hundred-fold. -article by Drs. J. van Mourik go back to beginning go back one slide

What is a Parable? “An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” A commonly known earthly event or illustration that is used to teach spiritual truths. An extended SIMILE becomes a PARABLE. – Example of a Simile: “He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove” (Matt. 3:16) Simile = comparison using “like” or “as”. – Example of a Parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed…” (Matt 13:31 ) Parable = a very large simile / a long extended simile go back more information

Description of a Parable The Lord Jesus often borrowed images from nature, daily life or daily work. Consider the Sermon on the Mount. He used images in it: the salt, the candlestick, a city on a hill, etc. The gospels are full of comparisons from the beginning to the end. The parables are part of that. Also in the parables the Lord Jesus borrowed images from daily life: the sower, the baker, the farmer, etc. Parables are stories borrowed from everyday life that serve to convey a lesson. –article by Drs. J. van Mourik go back go back to beginning

WHY DID JESUS USE PARABLES? Jesus used parables to reveal truth to those who had spiritual insight, but also to hide it from those who were spiritually blind. Jesus used parables to teach deep spiritual truths in a way that made heavenly truths more understandable. Those who were willfully ignorant and refused to receive the plain teachings of Christ, were left in their blindness. “To him who believes ‘the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven’ are revealed. To those who do not believe they remain hidden.” – Drs. J. van Mourik Click to read Matthew 13:10-13

Double Function of a Parable 1. Reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom to the believing. 2. Keep the Kingdom hidden for the unbelieving.

Matthew 13:10-13 And the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. go back

Interpreting PARABLES (5 rules) 1. Find out if Christ interpreted the parable Himself. 2. Look for a verse that gives a clue for why Jesus spoke the parable. 3. Always view the parable in its context. (what happened before and after it was spoken) 4. Do not interpret the parable in any way that does not agree with the rest of Scripture. 5. Each parable has one lesson or center point. Do NOT try to find “spiritual” meaning in the various details. (see example) go back EXAMPLE

Interpretation: The Pharisee and the Publican (Matthew 18:9-14) go back Interpret this parable based on its context: “And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Interpret this parable based on its conclusion: “For everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Do NOT interpret the minor details! It would be wrong to say: “There were two men and one was a hypocrite and therefore in every church 50% of the people are hypocrites.” CENTRAL MEANING: Let us not consider ourselves good, but let us humble ourselves before God as sinners in need of His mercy, and let our prayer be: “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Select Parables of JESUS The Soils – Matt. 13, Mark 4, Luke 8 The Soils – Matt. 13, Mark 4, Luke 8 Wheat and Tares – Matt. 13 Wheat and Tares – Matt. 13 Mustard Seed – Matt. 13, Mark 4 Mustard Seed – Matt. 13, Mark 4 Leaven – Matt. 13, Luke 13 Leaven – Matt. 13, Luke 13 Hidden Treasure – Matt. 13 Hidden Treasure – Matt. 13 Pearl of Great Price – Matt. 13 Pearl of Great Price – Matt. 13 Fishing Net – Matt. 13 Fishing Net – Matt. 13 Good Samaritan – Luke 10 Good Samaritan – Luke 10 The Rich Fool – Luke 12 The Rich Fool – Luke 12 Great Supper – Luke 14 Great Supper – Luke 14 Lost Sheep – Luke 15, Matt. 18 Lost Sheep – Luke 15, Matt. 18 Lost Coin – Luke 15 Lost Coin – Luke 15 Lost Son – Luke 15 Lost Son – Luke 15 Laborers – Matt. 20, Mark 10 Laborers – Matt. 20, Mark 10 Unjust Servant – Luke 16 Unjust Servant – Luke 16 Rich Man and Lazarus – Luke 16 Rich Man and Lazarus – Luke 16 Woman and the Judge – Luke 18 Woman and the Judge – Luke 18 Pharisee and Publican – Luke 18 Pharisee and Publican – Luke 18 Ten Pounds/Minas – Luke 19 Ten Pounds/Minas – Luke 19 Vineyard Owner – Mar 12, Mat. 21, Lu 20 Vineyard Owner – Mar 12, Mat. 21, Lu 20 Two Sons – Matt. 21 Two Sons – Matt. 21 Marriage Feast – Matt. 22 Marriage Feast – Matt. 22 Fig Tree – Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 Fig Tree – Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 Ten Virgins – Matt. 25 Ten Virgins – Matt. 25 Talents – Matt. 25 Talents – Matt. 25 return to first slide go back

No Information Available! Would you like to design 5 slides that would tell the story of this parable? Would you like to design 5 slides that would tell the story of this parable? Here is what you would do: 1. Look up the parable and use a few slides to explain its content. 2. Explain what the parable means. Be sure to look for the central meaning. Follow the five rules for Interpreting Parables. Ask your teacher if you need help. Follow the five rules for Interpreting Parables. Ask your teacher if you need help.Interpreting ParablesInterpreting Parables go back