The Parables of JESUS

 Jesus often used parables to explain the nature of the kingdom of God.
 Parables are short stories or illustrations that convey spiritual truths in a relatable and
memorable way.
 Over a third of the Gospels by Matthew, Mark, and Luke contain parables told by
Jesus.
 Jesus loved to use illustrations to reach the heart of his listeners through their
imagination.
 These word-pictures challenged the mind to discover anew what God is like and
moved the heart to make a response to God's love and truth.
 Like a skilful artist, Jesus painted lively pictures with short and simple words.
 A good picture can speak more loudly and clearly than many words.
 Jesus used the ordinary everyday events to point to another order of reality which is
hidden.
 He defined the unknown by using the known.

The Kingdom of God

 The kingdom of God is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, and he often used
parables and miracles to describe and explain its nature.
 In his teachings, Jesus presented the kingdom of God as a spiritual reality that
transcends national boundaries and is characterised by God's reign and rule over all
creation and a fulfilment of God’s will on Earth.
 Unlike earthly kingdoms that are defined by physical boundaries and political
structures, the kingdom of God is a spiritual realm where God's authority and
sovereignty are acknowledged and embraced.
 It is not limited to a specific location but exists wherever God's rule is recognised.
 The kingdom of God is not about worldly power and prosperity.
 In his parables, Jesus challenged the common expectations of his time, where
people were hoping for a political Messiah who would establish a powerful earthly
kingdom.
 Instead, Jesus presents the kingdom of God as a realm where values like humility,
love, and righteousness are prioritized over worldly power and wealth.
 The kingdom of God involves personal transformation .
 Jesus' parables often emphasise the individual's response to the message of the
kingdom.
 They highlight the importance of repentance, faith, and obedience as necessary
steps to enter and participate in the kingdom of God.
 The parables also illustrate the growth and fruitfulness that result from a genuine
encounter with the kingdom.
 The kingdom of God is a process of gradual growth.
 Jesus used parables like the mustard seed and the yeast to illustrate that the
kingdom of God starts small but grows and expands over time.
 It is not an instantaneous transformation but a gradual process that unfolds as
people respond to the message of the kingdom.
 The kingdom of God is both present and futuristic.
  In the present, the kingdom of God manifests in the spiritual reign of Christ in the
church on Earth while the future Kingdom of God refers to a future hope that will be
fully established when Jesus returns, and the Kingdom of the world becomes the
Kingdom of the Lord and His Christ .
 The future Kingdom of God will be marked by the complete victory of God over evil
and the establishment of His righteous rule.

Parables about the Kingdom of God

 Parables about the kingdom of God are stories that Jesus used to teach his followers
about the nature and characteristics of the kingdom of God.
 These parables often use familiar and relatable situations or objects to convey
deeper spiritual truths.
 They provide insights into the values, principles, and expectations of the kingdom of
God.
 The parables on the kingdom of God are categorised into three categories which are:
 Parables about preparing for the kingdom of God.
 Parables about receiving the kingdom of God.
 Parables about acting in the Kingdom of God.
 These parables provide valuable lessons on how to prepare for the kingdom, receive
the kingdom, and act in the kingdom.
 They teach us about the importance of responding to the gospel, recognising the
value of the kingdom, and living out the principles of love, forgiveness, and faithful
stewardship.

Parables about preparing for the kingdom of God.

1.The parable of the Sower: Mark 4:1–9

 A farmer sows seeds, which fall on different types of soil.

 The seeds represent the message of the kingdom, and the soil represents the hearts
of people and their response to the word of God, ranging from unfruitful to fruitful.
 The parable teaches that the response to the message varies, with some people
being receptive and producing a fruitful response, while others are not.
 These parables emphasise the importance of responding to the gospel message.
 It teaches that the condition of one's heart determines their receptivity to the
kingdom.

The purpose of the parables: Mark 4:10–12

 In this passage, Jesus explains why he speaks in parables and has been considered
one of the most difficult in the entire gospel.
 Jesus had just told the parable of the sower and the seed.
 His disciples and others asked him about the meaning of the parable.
 Jesus responds by explaining why he speaks in parables by quoting from Isaiah 6:9-
10, saying that he speaks in parables so that those that are outside may see but not
perceive, and hear but not understand.
 This implies that the purpose of parables is to reveal the truth to humble hearts and
conceal the truth from hard hearts.
  Jesus' quoting of Isaiah 6 suggests that he sees a parallel between the people of his
time and the hardened nation of Israel in Isaiah's time.

The Parable of the Sower Explained: Mark 4:13-20

 Jesus explains the parable of the sower.

 This parable uses agricultural imagery to convey spiritual truths about the reception
of God's Word.
 Jesus begins by explaining that the sower represents the one who sows the word
of God.
 Jesus himself is the ultimate sower, as he came to sow the seed of God's Word
through his teachings and actions.
 The seed represents the word of God, specifically the message of the kingdom.
 It is the gospel message that is being spread.
 The parable describes four different types of soil on which the seed falls,
representing different responses to the word of God:
i. The Wayside Soil- This represents those who hear the word but do not
understand it. Satan comes and takes away the word from their hearts,
preventing it from making an impression.
ii. The Stony Ground - This represents those who initially receive the word with
joy, but their faith quickly withers away when faced with trouble or
persecution.
iii. The Thorny Ground- This represents those who receive the word, but their
hearts are filled with worldly concerns, riches, and pleasures. These
distractions choke the word, preventing it from bearing fruit in their lives.
iv. The Good Ground: This represents those who hear, understand, and receive
the word. They allow the word to take root in their hearts and produce a
fruitful life. The parable emphasizes that the only soil that produces fruit is the
good ground. The fruit represents the evidence of true salvation and a
transformed life.

2. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29–37)

 In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a man who was robbed, beaten, and left half-
dead on the side of the road.
 Both a priest and a Levite pass by without helping him, but a Samaritan, who was
despised by the Jews, stops to help, and care for the wounded man.
 The parable teaches about the importance of showing compassion and love to
others, regardless of their social or ethnic background.
 It challenges the listener to go beyond religious and cultural boundaries to help those
in need.

3. The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13–21)

 This parable is about a rich man who had an abundant harvest and decided to build
bigger barns to store his wealth.
  He planned to live a life of ease and indulgence, but God tells him that his life will be
taken away that very night.
 The parable warns against the pursuit of material wealth and the neglect of spiritual
matters.
 It emphasises the importance of being rich toward God and using our blessings to
bless others rather than hoarding them for ourselves .

4. The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31)

 In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who lived a life of luxury and a
poor beggar named Lazarus who was covered in sores and longed for the scraps
from the rich man's table.
 Both men die, and Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham's side, while the rich
man is tormented in Hades.
 The parable highlights the stark contrast between the rich man's earthly wealth and
Lazarus' suffering.
 It teaches about the consequences of neglecting the needs of the poor and the
importance of repentance and faith in this life to avoid eternal separation from God.

Parables about receiving the kingdom.

1. The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1–7)

 In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who has 100 sheep.
 One of the sheep goes missing, so the shepherd leaves the 99 and goes in search
of the lost sheep.
 When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he rejoices and calls his friends and
neighbours to celebrate with him.
 The parable teaches us that God rejoices when a sinner repents and returns to Him.
 It emphasises God's love and care for each individual, even those who are lost or
have strayed.

2. The Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8–10)

 In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a woman who has ten silver coins.
 She loses one of the coins and searches diligently until she finds it.
 When she finds the lost coin, she calls her friends and neighbours to rejoice with her.
 This parable emphasises the joy in heaven when a sinner repents.
 It highlights the value that God places on each person and His desire for their
salvation.

3. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32)

 This parable is about a father and his two sons.

 The younger son asks for his inheritance and goes to a distant country, where he
squanders all his wealth in reckless living.
 When a famine strikes, the younger son realises his mistake and decides to return to
his father, hoping to be treated as a hired servant.
 However, the father sees his son from a distance, runs to him, embraces him, and
celebrates his return.
  The father also reconciles with the older son, who had been resentful.
 This parable illustrates God's unconditional love, forgiveness, and willingness to
restore those who repent and turn back to Him.
 It also addresses the self-righteous attitude of the older son and teaches about the
importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.

4. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30)

 In this parable, a master entrusts his servants with different amounts of money
(talents) before going on a journey.
 Two of the servants invest and double their talents, while the third servant buries his
talent out of fear.
 When the master returns, he rewards the first two servants for their faithfulness and
condemns the third servant for his lack of initiative.
 This parable teaches about the importance of using the God-given abilities and
resources wisely for His kingdom.
 It encourages Christians to be faithful and productive in serving God, rather than
being fearful or complacent .

Parables about acting in the kingdom.

1. Parable of the Great Dinner: (Luke 14:15–24)

 Jesus tells this parable in response to a comment made by someone at a dinner at

the house of a Pharisees ruler, he attended, who said, "Blessed is the man who will
eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."
 In the parable, a man plans a great banquet and sends out invitations.
 However, when the banquet is ready, those who were invited made excuses and
decline to attend.
 The master of the house becomes angry and sends his servant to invite the poor,
crippled, blind, and lame from the streets and country lanes.
 The servant returns and reports that there is still room, so the master sends him out
again to invite even more people.
 The parable ends with the master declaring that none of those who were originally
invited will taste his banquet.
 The parable teaches that the kingdom of God is inclusive-open to all, including those
who are considered outcasts or marginalised.
 The parable also warns against making excuses and prioritising worldly possessions
over the invitation to God's kingdom.

2. Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1–16)

 In this parable, a landowner hires labourers at different times throughout the day to
work in his vineyard.
 Those who were hired early in the morning agree to work for a denarius, a day's
wage.
 Throughout the day, the landowner hires more workers, even up until the eleventh
hour.
 At the end of the day, the landowner pays all the workers the same amount,
regardless of the hours they worked.
  This causes those who were hired first to complain.
 The landowner responds by saying that he is not being unfair, but rather he is being
generous.
 He has the right to do what he wants with his own money.
 The parable teaches about God's generosity and grace, emphasising that salvation
is not based on human merit or works, but on God's grace and mercy.
 The parable also warns against envy and jealousy, reminding believers to focus on
their own relationship with God rather than comparing themselves to others.

3. Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1–13)

 This parable tells the story of ten bridesmaids who are waiting for the arrival of the
bridegroom.
 They all have lamps, but only five of them have brought extra oil.
 The bridegroom is delayed, and while the bridesmaids are waiting, their lamps run
out of oil. The five wise bridesmaids who brought extra oil are prepared and able to
keep their lamps lit.
 When the bridegroom finally arrives, the five foolish bridesmaids who did not bring
extra oil ask the wise ones for some, but they refuse, saying there may not be
enough for all of them.
 The foolish bridesmaids go to buy more oil, but while they are away, the bridegroom
arrives, and the door is shut.
 When the foolish bridesmaids return, they are not allowed into the wedding feast.
 The parable teaches the importance of being prepared and ready for the return of
Christ.
 It emphasises the need for spiritual vigilance and readiness and the consequences
of being unprepared.

Reasons behind Jesus' teaching in parables

 Parables allowed Jesus to communicate deep spiritual truths in a way that was easily
understood by the common people of his time.
 By using familiar examples from everyday life, such as farming, fishing, and family
relationships, Jesus made his teachings relatable and accessible to a wide audience.
 Parables captured the attention and interest of the listeners, drawing them into the
story and prompting them to think and reflect on its meaning.
The use of vivid imagery and storytelling techniques made the teachings of Jesus
more engaging and memorable.
 Jesus used parables to both reveal and conceal the truth.
 To those who were receptive and seeking understanding, the parables provided
insights into the mysteries of the kingdom of God.
 However, to those who were hardened in their hearts or had ulterior motives, the
parables remained veiled, preventing them from grasping the deeper spiritual truths.