Parables of Jesus - Lesson 17

The Parables of Jesus

Lesson 17 

·         Smaller and Shorter Parables of Jesus

o   The Cost of Discipleship.    (Luke 14: 28 - 33)

§  There was a large crowd following Jesus and he had just told them what it would take to be a disciple of his.   (Luke 7: 25 – 27)

§  Jesus uses these 2 stories to show the necessity of “Counting the Cost” of discipleship.   Jesus commands a commitment to finish the discipleship journey that begins or not beginning at all.  Following Jesus is an all or nothing proposition.

§  Jesus is calling us to a discipleship that is not cheap, not easy, and not to be entered into without a deep consideration of the consequences and costs.   This passage speaks of loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all other competing loyalties.

§  Jesus’s command to “Follow Me” is both a gift and a demand.  We should not only speak about God’s grace through salvation, but we should also be mindful of what is expected in our relationship by being loyal to God.

§  Those who become Christians should be prepared to make the sacrifices required in the Gospel.  Christians should consider these costs even before Baptism and commit themselves to fully follow the teachings of Jesus

§  Related Readings

·         Philippians 3:7-21

o   The Master and His Servant   (Luke 17: 7 - 10)

§  Jesus was speaking directly to the 12 Apostles who were asking Jesus how they could increase their faith.

§  The context of this passage depicts the relationship between a Master and his Slaves.   The slave was expected to obey whatever his Master told him to do.   The slave obeyed because he knew it was his task to do so.  There was no need for the Master to thank the slave.

§  Notice how Jesus uses the word “All/Everything” in verse 10.   The disciples could not pick and choose what to obey.  

§  The word “Unworthy” does not imply useless, but means “Not Yielding Gain”.  From the perspective of the parable, we are all unprofitable servants because our best service does not bring gain to God.  We do not add anything to God that he didn’t have before.  At best, we have done our duty, to have God’s name glorified instead.

§  A Disciple/Christian should never forget his position before God.  We have been bought to the Kingdom of God by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.   Because Jesus paid the price with his blood, a believer can not take credit for the work he does in God’s kingdom.  A believer’s attitude should be that of a humble and grateful servant.

§  Jesus is not rendering our service as meaningless or useless, nor is he doing away with rewards.  He is attacking our self-esteem and spiritual pride

§  Related Readings

·         I Corinthians 9: 15 -23.

·         Questions to Ponder/Life Lessons.

o   When a builder doesn’t count the cost or estimates it inaccurately, his building may not be completed.   Will our Christian life be partially built and then abandoned because we did not count the cost of our commitment to Jesus?  What are those costs?

o   Christians can face loss of social status, wealth, and health.   They may have to give up control over their money, their time, their possessions, or their career.   They can be hated, separated from their family, and even face death.   Following Jesus does not mean a trouble free life.  We must count the cost of becoming Christ’s disciples so that we will know what we are getting into and we won’t be tempted later to turn back.

o   If we have obeyed God, we have only done our duty and we should regard it as a privilege.  Do we sometimes feel that we deserve extra credit for serving God?

o   Remember, obedience is not something extra we do, it is our duty to God.