“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
Parable
---place alongside, to compare two things. In the Bible a parable is an earthly fictitious story with a heavenly or spiritual meaning. Jesus used parables to teach his disciples just like he used discourse as in the Sermon on the Mount. When studying parables- as with any Scripture- remember to avoid reading too much into the minute details of the parables and stick with the major theme of the story.
Matthew 13:1-9
---Parable of the Sower:
--The main components: A sower, seeds
--Where do the seeds fall: Along the path, rocky ground, thorns, and good soil
--Why a parable about seeds and three types of failures?
--The main components: A sower, seeds
--Where do the seeds fall: Along the path, rocky ground, thorns, and good soil
--Why a parable about seeds and three types of failures?
Matthew 13:10-17
---Question Asked:
--The $100,000 question is asked here and an equally interesting answer is given in return:
--When speaking about the Kingdom of Heaven the one who knows already will know more and the one who has nothing will have everything taken away.
-- Remember that Christianity is an exclusive religion: not everyone gets in. In fact it’s tougher to get in than to be kicked out. Jesus states a fact that even though there are those who will not believe, they will be given information that can lead them to the ultimate prize, but they do not hear it.
--The $100,000 question is asked here and an equally interesting answer is given in return:
--When speaking about the Kingdom of Heaven the one who knows already will know more and the one who has nothing will have everything taken away.
-- Remember that Christianity is an exclusive religion: not everyone gets in. In fact it’s tougher to get in than to be kicked out. Jesus states a fact that even though there are those who will not believe, they will be given information that can lead them to the ultimate prize, but they do not hear it.
Matthew 13:18-23
---Jesus does all the leg work for us with this parable; he gives us the meaning
The Path
---The seeds that fall along the path are people who hear about the Kingdom but do not understand it.
Rocky Ground
---Seeds that fall on rocky ground are those that hear and embrace but their whole being is not rooted in the Christian life. As soon as hard times come and their faith is tested they fall away.
Thorns
---Seeds that are thrown among thorns are those who hear the word but they care so much about the world that they get choked out before they take root.
Good Soil
---Seeds that fall on good soil obviously bear good fruit and produce a good Christian disciple. Remember that it is only the called out (the elect) who come into discipleship anyway so wouldn’t it make sense that they have the good soil to begin with?
---Did you notice that there are three instances of bad soil but only one instance of good soil? This is not by accident either- this is a further reminder of what Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13-14).
---Did you notice that there are three instances of bad soil but only one instance of good soil? This is not by accident either- this is a further reminder of what Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13-14).
Recap from the Sermon
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)
Matthew 13:24-30
---Wheat and Weeds
--The main components: A farmer, good soil and seeds, the enemy, weeds
--The meaning: Jesus’ intention is to sow good seed and harvest good Christians but the reality is that Satan is out there countering Jesus’ every move. There is evil in the world along with the good but in the end (on Judgment Day) the weeds will be thrown in the fire and the wheat will be harvested. The reality is that it is ultimately up to God Almighty who gets harvested into Heaven and who gets thrown into the fires of hell.
--The main components: A farmer, good soil and seeds, the enemy, weeds
--The meaning: Jesus’ intention is to sow good seed and harvest good Christians but the reality is that Satan is out there countering Jesus’ every move. There is evil in the world along with the good but in the end (on Judgment Day) the weeds will be thrown in the fire and the wheat will be harvested. The reality is that it is ultimately up to God Almighty who gets harvested into Heaven and who gets thrown into the fires of hell.