Jesus' Parables - 2

Introduction

Why parables?

Contemporary reasoning are false

• Matthew 13:10-11
• It was a judgment on willful, hard-hearted unbelief
• Matthew 13:12-13

Do we need to speak in parables to make things clear to unbelievers?

Parables were designed to hide the truth.

In Isaiah 5 judgment is coming on Israel

Isaiah has a vision of God (Isaiah 6:1-13)

• He feels inadequate
• Angel cleanses him with a live coal
• The Lord said, “who will go for us?”
• Isaiah says, “here I am, send me”
• Lord said, “Okay, go preach judgment”
• But they will not understand!
  • Matthew 13:14-15
• Why Lord? “because there is a remnant.”

What is an illustration without a point?  You will not understand it

Jesus pulls his disciples aside and explains the parable

• Matthew 13:19-23

Parables had a mercy element in this judgment!

• Luke 12:48

What about the parable of “good Samaritan”?

What about the parable of “prodigal son”?

People who reject the gospel of salvation can find no meaning in the parables 

• Matthew 13:34-35

What nobody in the world understands, you do understand!

• I Corinthians 2:7-10
• Luke 10:23-24