4: Parables of Jesus

WHY PARABLES - why SPEAK in STORIES?

Jesus taught in parables because stories stick.

Someone once said:

“Jesus could turn people’s ears into eyes.”

WHAT ARE PARABLES?

DEFINE PARABLE:

Parables are everyday stories revealing eternal truths.

Last week we heard a parables about the Kingdom of God. Remember it? It went like this.

Matthew 13:44–46 (NLT)

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

Was that man just wanting to buy a field? NOPE. He wanted what was hidden in the field. A treasure that is like the Kingdom of Heaven.

Why would the merchant sell everything he owned for this pearl?

We’ve heard the everyday story…so what’s the eternal truth?

The Kingdom of Heaven is worth more than anything.

All your stuff will stay when you die, but if you’re a member of the Kingdom of God, then you will have eternal life!

Is that what YOUR LIFE looks like? Are you pursuing the King and His KINGdom, or is that just a passing thought, because you have more important stuff - like athletics, grades, friends, social status, or another activity?

QUESTION: What/who am I pursuing more than Jesus?

We were also confronted with the warning about God’s judgement that is coming.

Parable of the Fishing Net

Matthew 13:47–51 (NLT)

“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.

That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you understand all these things?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.”

Now, to tonight’s parables…are about What a Disciple of Jesus Looks Like.

Some people might draw someone with a beard. Others might think of someone who has their same skin color. Or maybe the disciple of Jesus has a shiny halo hovering above their head.

But tonight we are going to begin to see what Disciples of Jesus Look Like.

Disciples of Jesus love God, but they also love people.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Luke 10:29–30 (NLT)

The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

Luke 10:31-32 (NLT)

By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

Luke 10:33-35 (NLT)

Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

This story have been difficult for Jewish people to respect, because they despised the Samaritans.

These half-breed people were known for mixing false religion with true religion. Many Jews and Samaritans were simply racists who lumped everyone in the same barrel.

Yet, Jesus makes the Samaritan the HERO of the story - the person these Jewish disciples were supposed to follow the example of.

Disciples of Jesus are to care for people they might not like, and might not be like.

Luke 10:36-37 (NLT)

Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

My neighbor could be someone I’ve never met, who has a need I can meet.

ETERNAL TRUTH: Jesus expects His disciples to show genuine care for people in need.

DINNER GUESTS

Luke 14:7 (NLT)

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:

Luke 14:8-9 (NLT)

When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

Luke 14:10-11 (NLT)

Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 14:12–14 (NLT)

Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

ETERNAL TRUTH: Jesus expects His disciples to be humble people who serve people who can’t serve them back.

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Group Questions:

Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? (Luke 10:29-37) According to Jesus, who is your neighbor (look back on your notes)? Why would this story have been difficult for Jewish people to respect?

Why is it difficult to view people who are different than us with value? How can and why should followers of Jesus change that?

Remember the story of the dinner banquet? What is the eternal truth? Why is being humble so difficult in our American culture?

Christians often hang out with people they want be like, but sometimes leave out those who aren’t as talented, educated, or as popular. Name some reasons why disciples of Jesus should serve people who can’t serve them back. [LEADER’S NOTE: 1) Jesus told us to 2) People are created in God’s image 3) God will reward our faithfulness in eternity.]

Challenge the students to put FEET2FAITH on these challenges - even in the next few minutes. Challenge them to go out of your way to communicate care to someone you normally don’t.

Share prayer needs and pray together.

GO SEE EVERNOTE for parables in Matthew, Mark, & Luke

SERVING OTHERS: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37), Inviting People Who Can’t Invite You Back (Lk 14:7-14)

Next Week: Parable to Great Feast (Lk 14:15-24), Cost of Being a Disciple (Lk 14:25-35)

PRAYER: Friend at Midnight (Lk 11:5-13)

GOD’s GRACIOUSNESS & FORGIVENESS: Laborers receive the same wages (Mt 20:1-16) Parable of the unforgiving servant (Mt 18:21-35)

Religious vs Righteous: 2 Sons (Mt 21:28-32)

Marriage Feast (Mt 22:1-14)

Living Like Jesus is Returning, Preparing for Eternity: Faithful Servant (Mt 24:45-51), Ten Virgins (Mt 25:1-13), Investing the Master’s Stuff (Mt 25:14-30), The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)