Parables in Matthew 13: Exploring the Day of Parables
Delve into the meaning of parables in Matthew 13, where Jesus uses stories to convey spiritual messages. Explore the parable of the Sower and its elements, teaching valuable lessons about sowing seeds in different places.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Matthew 13: Background a day of parables What does the word parable mean?
Parables a saying or story to drive home a point the speaker wishes to emphasize by illustrating it from a familiar situation of common life (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dict.) stories told to convey a general truth or spiritual message, often requiring explanation or interpretation (Dictionary of Bible Themes) short (usually fictitious) stories that communicate a moral or spiritual argument (NIV Grace & Truth Study Bible)
Parables, Cont. a metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life, arresting the hearer by its vividness or strangeness, and leaving the mind in sufficient doubt of its precise application to tease it into active thought (C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom)
Parables, Cont. parabol : juxtaposition, comparison, illustration paraball : to lay [one thing] beside [another], to compare parable = comparison Who speaks in parables? prophets, rabbis, philosophers, teachers
Parables, Cont. parable and allegory Parable: all the characters and events work together to teach a single spiritual idea Allegory: each separate element of the story represents a distinct idea. call for a response (tended to polarize crowds)
Matthew 13:1-3a That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables
Matthew 13:3B-6 A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Elements of the Parable Sower: foolish, prodigal, generous? Four different places where seeds were planted three failures, one success A highly unusual yield Whoever has ears, let them hear. (Mt. 13:9) Why do you speak to the people in parables? (Matthew 13:10)
Mt. 13:11-13, The Message You ve been given insight into God s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That s why I tell stories: to create
Mt. 13:11-13, The Message, Cont. readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they re blue in the face and not get it. I don t want Isaiah s forecast repeated all over again
Matthew 13:14-17 Quote from Isaiah 6: just as there was a long history in Israel of rejecting God s prophets, some in this crowd are closed off to God s message revealed in Jesus. The negative reaction to Jesus s teaching lines up with what God told Isaiah. Those who are open are blessed!
Matthew 13:18-23 Jesus seldom explained his parables, but seed: the message about the kingdom evil one: Satan path: those whose hearts are hardened rocky ground: superficially receptive people thorns: worry and wealth If there is life, there will be yield.
Matthew 13:44-46 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:44-46 The kingdom of heaven is like... kingdom of heaven / kingdom of God the comparison is to the entire story The kingdom is of such great value that it is worth giving up everything else for. mystery of the rejection and acceptance of Jesus s message about the kingdom
Bottom Line Parables = Invitations Jesus is inviting you into the Kingdom of God. How do you want to respond to that invitation? What might be standing in the way, keeping you from responding wholeheartedly? What rocks or thorns might be interfering with your ability to hear and respond?
Looking ahead growing polarization of responses to Jesus s ministry When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. (Mt. 13:53) Ch. 14: Jesus and John rejected; Jesus reveals himself to Israel fear and anxiety; different responses to Jesus
Announcements & Reminders Thank you to all our visitors and all who brought treats! Zoom pickup: Tuesday 1/28, Thursday 1/30, Sunday 2/2 Guest teachers in February: Feb. 4th: Pastor Josiah Kish on Mt.15 Feb. 25th: Pastor Cynthia Fantasia on Mt. 17
