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Introduction on why Jesus used parables
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Some of Jesus' parables have a very specific message, pinpointing a particular aspect of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Others have a broader view, enlightening us, to some process ongoing in the operation of the kingdom in our world. The parables I have chosen are of the second type: providing light on a process ongoing in the world with the kingdom operating with us today.
E. P. Sanders (Jesus and Judaism 1985, London, SCM Press) speaks of the kingdom in terms of ‘time present’ and ‘time future’. He tells us that Jesus used a deliberately ambiguous expression to make his listeners think. He also suggests that the gospel authors emphasised different kingdom characteristics on different occasions. As we read the gospels we see that the kingdom is present with Jesus and his disciples in their words and actions. We can sense this mounting excitement in the early chapters of the Synoptic gospels. The news about Jesus spreads rapidly; great crowds come to see him and the people are amazed. The time is right; there is a sense of the kingdom as a present reality. Jesus urges his followers to seek the kingdom with righteousness and all things shall come about in their lives (Matt 6:31-33). But, at the same time, the kingdom is not yet fully realised. It is also ‘time future’ and in the process of realisation. People must choose to believe, to follow, to act, to live under God’s laws, even if they are slow to understand –Luke 12:54-56. When they do accept God’s ways and act in accordance with them, then the kingdom will be realised – Luke 12:35-36.
Jesus told his disciples that not everyone would understand his parables. “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that see...
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... listen with faith and humility then we each will understand what Jesus wishes to speak to each of our hearts about the Kingdom of God.
Works Cited
Barclay W, The Gospel of Matthew: Chapters 11-28, (Scotland, St Andrews Press, 2001)
Bible quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version
Eldon Ladd G, Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God (Michigan, W.M.B Eerdmans Publishing, 1990)
Sanders E. P. Jesus and Judaism (London, SCM Press, 1985,)
Spurgeon C. H. Sown Among Thorns,The Spurgeon Archive, A Sermon (No. 2040) (Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, 1888 ) avaliable online at http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/2040.htm (last accessed 15.03.14)
The Gift of Scripture, Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales, and of Scotland,
The Catholic Truth Society. 2005
Parables & Kingdom Teaching (Moodle course material Topic 4)
Malick, David. "An Introduction to the Gospel of John." (1996): n. pag. Online. Internet. 5 July 2000. Available http://www.bible.org/docs/nt/books/joh/joh-intr.htm
English, E. Schuylyer. Studies in the Gospel According to Matthew. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1938.
Note how each parable and its redactional shaping fit with the purpose and plan of each evangelist.
A parallel of the parable of the lost sheep is found in the Gospel of Matthew. The remaining two parables in chapter fifteen of this Gospel are unique. The reader may assume that the source of the material found in and around this passage comes from both Q and Special L. The use of triplets is common in Luke and that is precisely the literary technique we find in chapter fifteen. The parable of the lost coin that follows the lost sheep is almost identical in content. Th...
Gundry, Robert H., Ph.D. A Survey of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970.
Stanton, Graham. Gospel Truth?: New Light on Jesus and the Gospels. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1995. Paperback.
The Gospel of Matthew exhibits the plan of atonement and salvation for all people and the beginning of a new era. The Kingdom has come. Matthew’s Gospel is eschatological. Through the direct use of and allusions to the Hebrew scriptures, as well as fulfillment citations Matthew clearly connects Jesus’ life and ministry with Israel’s traditions and promised history.4...
Ford, J. Massyngberde. Revelation. Anchor Bible 38. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1975. Gentry, Kenneth L. Jr.
The Kingdom of God defined by the Israelites as a physical place here on earth. The Kingdom of God is also called the “Kingdom of Heaven.” It means God’s rule in the lives of His chosen people and His Creation. In the Old Testament, the people in God’s kingdom were the Israelites. In the New Testament and now, the people in God’s kingdom are those who believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes again, then God’s kingdom will become visible to all people. The term “Kingdom” according to (Kingdom of God,2011) means the rank, quality, state, or attributes of a king; royal authority; sovereign power; rule; dominion; monarchy. It can also be used in the context of a divine kingdom, the term Kingdom appears 13 times in Matthews, 7 times in Luke and 2 times in John.
Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary Series). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.
This parable is supposed to be a narrative for the reader to help interpret and understand the significance of faith, but as for all the parables it might be extremely heard for people today to understand the connection between the words and the actual meaning. Even with Jesus interpretation the parable might be misleading if you don’t know during what kind of circ...
What are parables of Jesus Christ? The word parable in general may mean the placing of two or more artifacts together to make a comparison or explain an ideology. This same concept could be related to the parables of Jesus Christ the son of God. Some people may choose to define these in various meanings depending on their own understanding. However, in my opinion, a parable is basically an analogy consisting of human circumstances that is accompanied with a spiritual or biblical lesson. Altogether, there are thirty-two parables; which could be found in the books of Mathew, Mark and Luke. Out of all these parables, eighteen of them are found in Luke and ten in Mathew. The eighteen parables found in Luke include, the Lost Coin, the Lost Son, the Unrighteous Steward, the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Unprofitable Servants, the Unrighteous Judge, the Pharisee and Publican, the Pounds, the Two Debtors, the Good Samaritan, the Friend at Midnight, the Rich Fool, the Watchful Servants, the Barren Fig Tree, the Chief Seats, the Great Supper, the Rash Builder, and the Rash King. The ten in Mathew include, the Laborers in the Vineyard, the Two Sons, the Marriage of the King's Son, the Ten Virgins, the Talents, the Tares, the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, the Draw Net, and the Unmerciful Servant. Again, the parables of Jesus Christ could be compared to a class of students with a teacher in the front. Basically Jesus Christ was the teacher and the whole world would be considered as the students. Out of all the parables of Jesus Christ, the main ones I will be talking about will be the parable of the good samaritan, and the parable of the sower.
Lineberry, John. Salvation Is of the Lord: Topical and Word Studies. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959.
Jesus was a phenomenal communicator. In fact, Jesus was the greatest communicator to ever live. He used strategies and techniques that were previously unheard of to get his point across in any situation, regardless of the circumstances. What is interesting is that his most common form of speaking was in parables. He would use these analogies to provide a way of application for the gospel in people lives. The parable about the workers in the vineyard is one of many, but is one of the few that were only told in the book of Matthew. Although there a many assumptions as to the reasoning for this, nobody can be sure of the reason why this parable is nowhere to be found in the other gospels. It is especially confusing because in this parable Jesus talks about end times and entrance into heaven; which would have been, and still is, an important subject to any believer.
The Messiah left the people hopeful by explaining how easy it is to enter the kingdom of Heaven. According to Matthew 5:3-12, the people with righteous hearts will definitely inherit the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus inspires everyone to be humble, merciful, peaceful, and kind to one another, and he also mentions the importance of forgiveness and love several times, portraying his loving nature. Christ warns the nations to not fear persecution, because their reward in heaven will be great. Jesus mentions that Christians are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. However, salt without saltiness is worthless; hence, Christians without spiritual knowledge won’t get far in life. Christ motivates Christians to stand out by being loving, kind, compassionate; a reflection of Jesus so that unbelievers are eager to become Christians as well (New International Version, Matt.5:13-17). Additionally, he mentions the consequences of murder, adultery, and divorce. He talks about the sincerity of oaths and the importance of loving your enemies and giving to the poor. Jesus preaches about the importance of prayer because it is the way of communicating with the Lord. The Lord favors intimate and personal prayers over hypocritical prayers in public (New International Version, Matt.5.21-33,43, 6.1-5,25). Christ mentions the