– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares
In one sense, all of the Lord’s parables are about the kingdom of heaven, but there are a collection of parables which begin in Matthew 13 that we commonly call the kingdom parables. Each begins with the statement, “The kingdom of heaven is like…”
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Sower
Jesus’ parables tend to use simple images. He would employ activites and ideas the common person would understand – activities that folks had experience with. Perhaps the best known parable spoken by Jesus is the parable of the sower. Two gospels record this parable, Matthew (13:3-23) and Luke (8:4-15).
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Two Debtors
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his home for a meal. As He sat at the table, a woman, simply identified as a sinner came in. Some have tried to identify her as Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2), but the text does not infer this. Her name is not as important as what she did. Simon withheld some basic courtesies from the Lorrd – he did not wash His feet, give Him a kiss, nor anoint His head. However, the woman whom Simon called a sinner (Luke 7:39) did all of these for the Lord (Luke 7:44-46).
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of the Divided Kingdom
The crowd buzzed, “Could this be the Son of David?” The Lord had just healed a demon-possessed man brought to him. Hear this, the Pharisees quickly accused,
This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons. (Matthew 12:24)
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of Children Playing Games
Jesus spoke about the work of John the Baptist to the people. They “justified God,” for they had received his baptism. However, Luke says the Pharisees,
…rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. (Luke 7:30)
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parable of Plentiful Harvest
Matthew spoke of the Lord’s work as He journeyed, taking the gospel from village to village. The apostle recorded:
…when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Bridegroom and Patches and Wineskins
The disciples of John the Baptist and the disciples of the Pharisees asked Jesus:
Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink? (Luke 5:33)
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Physician
Immediately after Jesus called Levi to follow Him, this new disciple hosted a feast at his home. Matthew 9:10 tells us that many tax collectors and sinners came and sat downn at his table. Even at this early stage in Jesus’ ministry, the Pharisees and scribes were keeping tabs on what Jesus was doing. Mark 2:16 reveals they saw Him eating with this motley crew at Matthew’s house. And so, they asked His disciples why He ate with such people.
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Wise Man who Built His House on the Rock
For about 15 years in the 1990s and early 2000s, General Motors used Bob Segar’s song, “Like A Rock” in their truck ads. Of course, they wanted to convey the idea that their trucks are strong and reliable. I’ve never owned one, so I don’t know if the image is appropriate or not. But two millennia ago, Jesus used the stability of a rock to speak about the faithfulness of a child of God.
– PARABLES OF JESUS –
The Parables of the Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing & A Tree Known by its Fruit
Jesus said the way to heqaven is narrow, and then Immediately spoke of some who will hinder those who seek to walk the heavenly way. He identifies them as false prophets (Matthew 7:15), and used two images to speak about them. The first speaks of their methods (Matthew 7:15) and the second speaking of their mannner of life (Matthew 7:16-20).
