The Parables of Jesus
Lesson 14
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Background
o
The first two parables are found in the Gospel
of Matthew. These parables were spoken
after Jesus had arrived in Jerusalem and they were part of his teaching on the
Mount of Olive where Jesus was teaching about the future and his return.
o
The last parable is found in the Gospel of
Mark. Mark was not one of the 12
apostles, but he was a follower of Paul the apostle. The parable was spoken after Jesus had
selected his 12 apostles.
·
Smaller
and Shorter Parables of Jesus
o
The Fig
Tree. (Matthew 24: 32 - 35)
§
Jesus had just left the temple and he was
walking with his disciples. Jesus used
this parable and several others to prophesy about the nation of Israel and his
return in the future. He was preparing
them for what would take place in the future.
This parable was Jesus’s response to his disciples asking when the end
times would occur and what would be the signs of his coming again.
§
To understand this parable better we need to
understand the elements involved.
·
The Fig Tree – Representing the nation of Israel
·
The Twigs – Represented all the Jews that would
be eventually be scattered around the world.
·
Leaves in Bloom – A representation of the Jews
returning to their homeland.
·
This Generation – Talking about a whole
multitude of Jews living at the same time.
§
We can see this prophesy fulfilled when the
modern nation of Israel was re-established in 1948.
§
We know that the end is coming, but those
without a Biblical Worldview will have doubts with some even dismissing
this. We must be reminded that each
passing day brings us closer to the End Times.
Do we believe we are closer in time to the End of Times or the beginning
of God’s creation?
§
The power of God’s word can be seen in verse 35,
‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”.
§
Related Readings
·
Matthew 24:1-31 (Basis of this Parable), James
5:7-11
o
The
Faithful and Wise Servant (Matthew
24: 45 – 51)
§
This parable looks at two servants, the faithful
and wise servant being compared to a foolish and evil servant.
§
The faithful and wise servant represents the
person who is truly saved. This servant
served his master by bringing and doing honor to his Master consistently during
the Master’s absence by acting righteous in all situations consistently. This servant was considered wise as he cared
for and took care of his Master’s fellow servants. This servant did not take advantage of his
fellow servants as well during the absence of his Master. When the Master returned he found the
servant doing exactly what he had expected the servant to do.
§
The ‘Meat’ referred to in this parable would be
a metaphor for ‘Spiritual Food’.
§
Jesus is expecting us to spend the time waiting
and taking care of others and doing his work through his command of the Great
Commission, ‘Go and make Disciples of others’.
This command would include people both inside and outside of our church.
§
Since we know that Christ’s return will be
sudden and unexpected, we should be motivated to always being prepared. Being prepared includes doing God’s work.
§
This parable also reminds us again that God’s
Judgment is real and it will occur. We
can again see the reference to the ‘Gnashing of Teeth and Weeping’.
§
Related Readings
·
Matthew 24:36-44, Luke 12:35-40
o
The Growing
Seed (Mark 4:26-29)
§
This is another parable about the Kingdom of
God. This parable reveals that
spiritual growth is a continual and gradual process that will be completed once
we have Eternal life in heaven with our Savoir and Creator. This completion will occur with the Great
Harvest or when physical death occurs.
In this parable Jesus is comparing our spiritual growth to the slow but
certain growth of a seed.
§
We must realize that the growth of the Kingdom
of God can be detected in certain stages.
As in the wheat seed, first the blade of wheat appears, then the ear,
then the full grain of the ear, and finally the full stalk of wheat. Though we cannot see a daily change in our
lives, we can look back on our lives and see that something has changed. We can compare what we have been in the past
to what we have become.
§
Related Readings
·
Revelation 14:14-20
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Questions
to Ponder/Life Lessons.
o
Have we been saved? Do we trust in Jesus Christ as our savior and
do we believe in his finished work?
Jesus shed his blood for us during his brutal beatings and while he hung
on the cross, as he died on the cross for all of our sins (past, present, and
future). The price we pay is
surrendering our life to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
o
Do we feel compelled to bring others to
Christ? Eternity is real and we never
know when one’s time is up.
o
Are we content with our relationship with
Jesus? What else can I learn? How else can I do God’s work in my life?
o
Do we reach out and make disciples of others? Do we
continue to disciple those whom we have led to Jesus?
o
Are we active in our church or community? Are we self-absorbed instead?
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