The Parables of Jesus
Lesson 5
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Background
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Today’s Parables come from the Gospel of
Matthew, who was a Jewish Tax Collector and a disciple of Jesus. Jesus was making his journey to Jerusalem to
be crucified and he was teaching in parables along the way.
o
Today’s Parables are similar in the message
being taught. We will be looking at our
entrance into heaven, the kingdom of God, which is through God’s grace, which
is a free gift. We are saved by grace
through faith.
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Parables
of Salvation.
o
Workers
in the Vineyard. (Matthew 20: 1 – 16)
§
Harvest time would typically take place from
6:00am until 6:00pm during biblical times.
Laborers would typically mull around the market place or work place
looking for work.
§
God is the landowner and the workers are believers.
§
Observe that no one was cheated in the wages
paid. They were not over paid or
underpaid. Each worker agreed upon the
wage he was to be paid.
·
The land owner determined what the wage would be
and he paid the wages based upon grace not human accounting practices. His over payment of the later workers was his
choice. This story makes no economic
sense, but displays grace upon the land owner’s part. God dispenses grace and not gifts.
·
We should be thankful for what we receive and
rejoice in the good that others receive.
·
We can never place God under obligation to do
something for us. God cares for his
people more than things. The land owner
hired workers because they needed work.
The land owner was not thinking of profit but people instead.
§
No one person should feel favored because they
have spent more time walking with Jesus compared to a new believer.
§
God’s love for us is equal, which we learned in
last week’s lesson. God’s grace is also
equal for all who accept Jesus.
§
The parable is about salvation not the rewards
that we will receive in heaven.
§
Related Bible Verses to read.
·
Matthew 13:24, Matthew 21:28,33, Deuteronomy
24:14-15, Matthew 19:30
o
Come to
the Banquet. (Matthew 22: 1 – 14)
§
In Jewish times, 2 invitations were given when a
banquet was held. The first invitation
asked the guests to attend and the second invitation announced that all was
ready to celebrate. In Jewish times a
wedding feast would last 7 days. Notice
how the king in the parable sent out 3 invitations showing God does want us to
join him in heaven.
§
It was also Jewish custom that guests would be
given a garment to wear to the wedding banquet.
It would be considered an insult to the host if you refused to wear the
garment. The wedding clothes picture
the righteousness needed to enter God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ provides that righteousness to
everyone through his death and resurrection.
Each person must choose to accept Jesus
(Isaiah 61:10, Zechariah 3:3-5, Revelation 3:4-5, Revelation 19:7-8,
Isaiah 64:5-6)
§
God is represented by the king, Jesus is the son
who the banquet was to be held for, the messengers are represented by prophets
and preachers, and we are the guests who are invited to the banquet.
§
We can compare the first invitations to the
Jewish people who were first chosen by God to be his people. With Jesus, the invitation has now been
extended to the non-Jewish people (known as Gentiles) (Romans 1:16)
§
Many will be called by God and not all will
accept his invitation of Grace (John 15:10)
§
Note how the people would not come instead of they
could not come as the people made excuses on why they could not attend the
wedding banquet. The servants were more
than likely mistreated because the people hated the king. (Acts 7:52-53).
§
There are three types of people who will receive
the invitation. Those who believe good
works will earn their salvation for them, those who will be speechless and they
will not know what to say, and those who will be covered by the righteousness
of Jesus Christ.
§
Notice the word many in the last verse, ‘For
many are invited, but few are chosen. It
does not say all will be invited.
§
Related Bible Verses
·
(None).
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Questions
to ponder/Life Lessons.
o
What would happen if God gave us what we deserved?
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How does it make you feel to know that heaven
will include murderers, child molesters, swindlers, and crooked politicians
that put their trust in Christ only minutes before there death?
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How can focusing on God’s grace in our lives
keep us from becoming jealous of others?
In what way can we thank God every day for his grace in our life?
o
Who do you think the person was that the King
noticed not wearing the wedding clothes?
An imposter? A non-Chrisitan?
Someone trying to enter the Kingdom of God on his own terms?? An unrighteous person?
o
What do you take away from today’s parables?
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