Jesus Said: "Listen to Another Parable"

INTRO

says -

Matthew 13:34–36 NIV

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

It is no secret that Jesus often taught in parables. If you scan the gospels you will see several in the headings the word “Parable” often. So to kick off our “Jesus said Series. we are going to spend some time talking about this teaching tool of Jesus and then we will look at one of his parables.

WE ARE BEGINING OUR “JESUS SAID SERIES TODAY

says —

Mark 4:33–34 NIV

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

We are starting our Jesus said series today

It is no secret that Jesus often taught in parables. If you scan the gospels you will see several in the headings the word “Parable” often. There are around 40 different parables in Matthew, Mark and Luke. John does not have any.

It is no secret that Jesus often taught in parables. If you scan the gospels you will see several in the headings the word “Parable” often. So to kick off our “Jesus said Series. we are going to spend some time talking about this teaching tool of Jesus and then we will look at one of his parables.

Since we are talking about things Jesus said it would be good to spend some time talking about parables.

Parable info

A Parable is a brief story that help teach a spiritual point.

We get the word Parable from the greek word “parabolē”

Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words παραβολή

a placing one thing by the side of another; a comparing; a parallel case cited in illustration; a comparison,

parabolē

So in the gospels we have the spiritual truth and then along side of it is placed the story or the parable that helps us understand.

Both Elements were and are important — without the explanation (the spiritual truth being taught) the parable was confusing and unclear that is why in many cases Jesus after giving the parable would explain its meaning.

Why would Jesus teach in parables?

* some have said he did so because stories are relatable so he told stories about things people could understand. — I think that is partly true.

other have said that it was because stories are easier to remember than a list of facts or bullet points he wanted his disciples to remember so he taught them in parables — I think there is some truth in that as well.

there have been other reasons given as well ..

But

EVEN THOUGH THERE IS TRUTH TO THOSE POINTS I DON’T THINK ANY OF THEM ARE THE BIG REASON. Because it is not the reason Jesus gave.

Verse 1

Let’s look at what Jesus said when he was asked that question —

Turn to

His disciples ask the question

His answer - This information is for you not them (Parable are not necessarily a tool used to clearly communicate a point)

He goes on — those who have will be given more — those who dont it will be taken from them.

— the disciples were seeing and hearing Jesus and were understanding so More was given to them —> The parable/explanation

— the others were seeing and hearing jesus and not accepting it and were resisting it so plain teaching was taken from them — Parable without explanation.

Before is clear teaching that the pharisees and teachers of the law were resisting and fighting. Before this were miracles and signs that the Pharisees were disregarding — At the same time the disciples and others were seeing and hearing and believing

Jesus responds by no limiting the signs he alows them to see and by replacing the clear teaching with parables.

SO YES PART OF THE REASON JESUS TAUGHT IN PARABLES WAS TO AID AND DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING IN A MEMORABLE AND RELATABLE WAY BUT THE OTHER PART WAS AN ACT OF JUDGMENT AGAINST THOSE WHO HAVE HARDENED THIER HEART.

A parable on its own is confusing and unhelpful but when you lay it next to the truth it is teaching it illuminates it in a deeper and more profound manner.

So if you come across a parable that is hard to understand check to see if Jesus offers an explanation and use that to help you and on the ones he doesn't then don’t worry about it move on and try to deepen your understanding elsewhere regarding the Gospel and salvation and the kingdom of God and you may just find as you discover truths throughout scripture you will come back to that parable and it will further illuminate that which you were already learning.

Let’s take a look at one of Jesus parables.

In this parable you will see that the truth of it was hidden from the pharisees — to them it was just a story Jesus was sharing and because of that they played right into his hand because when he revealed the point he was making — the explanation it upset them a little.

Turn to

This parable is very similar to imagery found in — imagery any Jew in the day would have been familiar with.

This story paints a typical scenario in Jesus’ time. Often there would be wealthy landowners that would rent out their land expecting the tenant to take good care of it and to pay their rent at the appropriate time.

This isn't much different than arrangements made today regarding land or buildings. We have agreements with people they care for our land or our building and in return ....

So this landowner rented out his land and when harvest time came he sent his servants to collect rent so far nothing surprising..

But then the renters — didn’t pay — this was maybe a little surprising. But anyone who has been a land lord knows that sometimes stuff like this happens some times renters don’t pay on time sometimes they don’t take care of the property like they should.

Then it gets a little more heinous and perhaps a little shocking not only are they refusing to pay but they beat and kill the servants.

Then

This is obviously a horrible crime that the renters have committed in our day there would be legal actions that any just person would take.

in that time

Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels Commentary

The owner has the right to contact the authorities, who at his request will send a heavily armed company of trained men to storm the vineyard, arrest the violent men who have mistreated his servants and bring them to justice. The abusing of his servants is an insult to his person, and he is expected, indeed honor bound, to deal with the matter. No anger is mentioned, but it is assumed. The question is, what will he do with the anger generated by the injustice he and his servants have suffered?

Here is the big surprise of the story.

What does the owner do?

does he seek retributive justice does he summon an army?

No he sends his son - unarmed — giving them another chance.

Assumed in this decision is that if they accept the son and pay the rent then there would be complete forgiveness.

IN every Bible that I know of the heading that we give this parable is the “The parable of the tenants” or the parable of the evil/wicked tenants”

But that title move our attention too quickly to the tenants. before we can see the true wickedness and lostness of the tenants we must first see here the extravagant love and patience of the land owner.

— what great forgiveness we see here —

I hope in this you can see the story of your own salvation. How in times passed you ignored God. You rejected him and perhaps even violently opposed him with your sin.

And in the face of that God dint simply crush you instead he sent his son

He sent his son and said — how will you respond to him?

That is the question we all need to answer. that is the decision the tenants had to make

This is an action the people listening to the story wouldn’t have seen coming but what comes next is even worse.

They don’t take the opportunity to make it right instead they kill the son also in effort to steal the land and take control.

And instead of choosing to humble themselves and to pay the rent that was owed to do the right thing they killed the son

WHY? — for control. they wanted to be in charge — they wanted to be owners

So Jesus asks the pharisees what should happen to the tenants. They not knowing they are offering their own sentence answer and Jesus confirms.

So Jesus asks the pharisees what should happen to the tenants. THey not knowing they are offering thier own sentence answer and Jesus confirms.

See v. 41, 43

In their quest for ownership they will be cast out and will not even be renters anymore.

Close

The pharisees refused to see the signs so no more signs were given them

The refused to hear clear teaching so only unexplained parables were given.

They refused to produce fruit and give up control so the vineyard was taken from them.

The pharisees only having the parable and not the truth that it illuminates answer the question and in so doing condemn themselves.

they answer--- those men should be punished and the vineyard given to others who would be faithful.

That is when Jesus explains to them that they are the evil renters.

God had given them a grand responsibility of looking after his people the vineyard of producing justice and righteousness.

And when God sent the prophets they disregarded them, mistreated them, killed them.

Perhaps sometimes in our life when we wonder why we dont see miracles its becasue we scoff at or disregard miracles when they do happen.

— how much mean, dishonest, deceitful shady things are done in churches because of people desire for control.

Perhaps sometime in our life when it seems God has quit speaking, leading , guiding it is because we have quit listening.

Sometimes perhaps we need to remember we are not owners but renters — we try so hard to control things

— think of the evil that has been done in the world in the name of control

— not just the world but in churches — or how about your life?

I have heard or read stories of too many congregations that refused to give up control and God would send pastor after pastor and they would run them off because they challenged how things have always been and in the end the churches end up closing. because people hold tightly to control.

— Church planting story

It is my hope and prayer for my life and for your life and for the churches and believers in this community that when the owner comes looking for fruit he will see in us not sniviling petty people grasping for ownership and control but he will see the fruit he desires

Justice

Righteousness

Mercy

Humbleness

love, joy , peace, patience,gentleness, goodness and self control

Lets pray

— what about the things we do or say EACH OF US INDIVIDUALLY so our tight grip of control won’t be loosened.

Benediction

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 NIV

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 NIV

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Romans 15:5–6 NIV

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.