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The Parabolic teachings of Jesus In Jesus’ parabolic method of teaching a certain point or lesson is made for each story told Parables are part of Jesus’ teaching style for the masses who congregated to listen tis teachings. he drew on the lifestyles of the people of his day to illustrate spiritual truths and the application given to live by. In Matthew 12 Jesus is rejected by the nation led by certain religious leaders on the grounds of demon possession (Blasphemy of the Spirit). The very same day, He begins teaching the masses in parables. A Parable is a figure of speech put in a story setting to illustrate a moral, spiritual or heavenly truth. The example can be taken from people’s everyday experiences. Mt.13:10 The disciples asked why do you speak in parables. Jesus answers It has been to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given . The principle is (Isa. 6:9-10) to reveal to those whose heart is seeking truth, and they will continue to be given more. But for those who are hard of heart it is hidden until they repent. Through parabolic teaching the truth was received to those who have spiritual understanding and it was hiddent further from those who did not, "so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them" (Mk. 4:12).The Mystery Kingdom (found in 9 parables: in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8, the key to understand is given to the Apostles after. The first is of the Sower in Matthew 13:3-9, and is interpreted in v:20-23. Luke 8:11-12 "The seed is the word of God." Mark 4:13 tells us the understanding of this first parable is the key to understanding all following parables, Jesus Himself interprets them and giving the key to understanding them to his disciples. Matt 13:3 “Then He spoke many things to them in parables” (Mk.4:33) but not everything he spoke to them was parabolic. The Scripture introduces when his sayings is a parable nearly each time he spoke one. He quoted the Old Testament, and the prophets often, which are not in parables. The parables are of real persons in real events, Jesus told the story of a beggar named Lazarus who went to Abrahams bosom (hades - Paradise) and of a rich man who died and went to (hades-hell) and was in conscious torment (Luke 16:22–28). Jesus told (approximately) 22 parables recorded in the book of Matthew, 10 parables in the book of Mark, and 10 in the book of Luke. Most scholars understand that the gospel of John does not to contain any parables. John’s Gospel is distinct as the parables characteristically found in the Synoptic Gospels are not included. Jesus often said, “he who has ears let him hear”, he also said He said to them, “Hear and understand” (Matt 15:10). When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: (Mark 7:14). When Jesus spoke the parable of the seed he gave four examples of the soil with the same seed being planted. Three of the soils within time (quickly or slowly) lost the life of the seed. There was only one soil that had the seed sprout and grow and become a sturdy plant that was fruitful. (30, 60 100 fold). It is how we let the Word work in the soil (our heart). Our fruitfulness depends on the soil of our heart, which is dependent upon our humility to hear. As James 1:21 explains”… receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls See also http://www.letusreason.org/Doct41.htm |
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