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The Parables of Jesus
Introduction:
The definition of the word “parable” is to “lay next to or compare”.
A parable is a story with a hidden message that only
“spiritually opened” ears can hear.
The parables are word pictures into what God is trying to teach us.
The parables of Jesus are one of the times Jesus teaches lessons for future generations. These parables need to be meditated on and closely studied. Parables have a “layered” meaning, for example the parable of the Prodigal Son. The story is one of going astray and coming back. It seems to be the story of an actual son, with an older brother, and his father…like in any family. We have all read this before and it has given much comfort and hope to the families that have had a child gone astray.
We must realize that the parables have layers...there is a surface layer and a deeper layer. For example, the surface layer would be relating to children going astray within your own family and the deeper meaning is what we are going to present to you in the following papers.
Remember what the disciples asked Jesus:
(Matthew 13:10-17)
The Purpose of Parables
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
PARABLE #1--The Prodigal Son
PARABLE #4--The Parable of the Tenants
PARABLE #5--The Good Samaritan
PARABLE #6--The Widow and the Two Coins