Lesson
7
Jesus
Teaches in Parables
II. Jesus
Teaches in Parables
Jesus often taught in
parables. A definition of a parable is, an earthly story with a spiritual
application. A parable is used to teach one great truth. Jesus used a
"known" to reveal an "unknown," to His disciples as well as
to present these parables containing spiritual meaning to all who heard. Jesus spoke
many parables, of which we will study three.
A. The Parable of
the Sower
The Parable of the
Sower is found in Matthew 13:1-9, with the interpretation in verses 18-23. The
parallel accounts of this parable are found in Mark 4:1-20 and Luke 8:4-15. The
basic lessons taught in the parable is:
"The seed that is
sown is the Word of God.
* The wayside soil
represents the heart of those who hear the Word but fail to understand it. The
devil comes quickly to catch the Word away from them.
* The stoney soil
represents those who hear the Word and receive it joyfully, for the moment. But
when temptation comes, they fall away because they are not grounded (rooted) in
the Word.
* The thorny ground
represents those who hear the Word and begin to bear fruit. But the cares of
life are allowed to grow in their life. This eventually chokes out their
concern for the Word of God.
* The good ground
represents those who hear the Word, understand it, and obey it.
This parable stresses the
importance of the Word of God. God's Word is the only thing that can cause a
man to bear fruit, or be productive, in God's Kingdom. There is no substitute.
A person must develop a love for God's Word, and put it first in his life
(Psalm 1:2). His reception and obedience to the Word of God determines the kind
of soil he wants to be. A man can will to be the kind of soil he wants to be.
B. The Pearl of
Great Price
The parable of the
Pearl of Great Price is found in Matthew 13:45-46. "Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had
found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought
it." Although Jesus did not interpret this parable, many Bible students
believe that it represents the search
of mankind for the gospel. From that
viewpoint, the following lessons may be drawn.
* AII of life is a
search for the very best.
* The most valuable
thing in the world is the gospel message—God's plan of salvation.
* When truth is found,
it is worth giving up anything and everything in order to obtain it.
Proverbs 23:23 says,
"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and
understanding." The implication here is this: No matter what the cost, buy
the truth. Truth can't literally be bought with money, but when it is found it
will be far more valued than any earthly possession. Often it is necessary to
dispose of preconceived ideas, personal desires and dreams, in order to embrace
truth. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall
lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it"
(Matthew 16:24-25). This story was told by General Bramwell Booth. "I
was once traveling by train," he said, "with Cecil Rhodes. My father
was in the next carriage. Rhodes and I were alone. Struck by his depression and
gloom, and hopeful for him, because of his interest in our work, I said to him,
'Mr. Rhodes, are you a happy man?' He threw himself back in his seat, looked at
me with that extraordinary stare of his, and exclaimed:
'Happy? I happy? Good
God, no!' And then, when I spoke to him of the only rest for the human spirit,
he said to me: 'I would give all I possess to believe what that old man in the
next carriage believes.' I shall never forget the tragedy," said Bramwell
Booth, "the utter tragedy of his voice, as long as I live." Yes Cecil
Rhodes had gathered many goodly pearls—fame, wealth, honor, power—but
he had not found the Pearl of Great Price. Only when men have found Christ are
they at rest, for "none but Christ can satisfy."—G. H.
Clothier.
C. The
Talents
The
parable that Jesus told about the talents concerns the use of what God gives
us. The man traveling into the far country represents the Lord. Before he
leaves he distributes his goods—five talents to one, two talents to
another and one talent to another. Note the different ways these servants used
their God-given talents. The one who had the most used his talents most. He
risked investing but his investment paid good dividends. Likewise the man with
two talents. But the man who had only one talent seemed too fearful.
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear
hath torment" (I John 4:18). It is difficult to work in fear but when one is
working for God we need never fear anything except pleasing Him and earning His
well done. The man who did not use his God-given talent was called wicked and
slothful (Matthew 25:26).