Jesus' Parables:
Grace & Judgment (Part 3)
By Neil Earle
Hello again brethren.
Remember, we are on a series about the Parables.
People generally know two things about Jesus – he was
crucified and he spoke in parables. Let’s review from last time (answers
at bottom).
The word Parable comes from
a Greek word meaning ____________ . Jesus spoke about 51 parables when John’s Gospel is included (John
4:35). Gordon Fee sees the parables as primarily a ____________ for
confronting people with the ____________ of ____________ . Jesus expected a response
but knew that by not responding His opponents were ____________ and ____________ themselves
(Matthew 13:15). According to Matthew ____________ the Pharisees knew he was talking about them.
Some see 5 categories of
parables. These include ____________ parables, ____________ themes,
____________ vs. ____________ ; the Christian life or ____________ ; and ____________ . Others
sees Ten Themes in the Parables enshrining life-and-death lessons Jesus wanted us to learn
which help illustrate our Christian journey:
- “Now
is the Hour” – The Bridegroom is here (Mark 2:19); the fields
are already white to harvest, not several months in the future (John
4:35).
- God’s
Extravagant Mercy – The two debtors – 10,000 talents was the
highest number in the Greek (Luke 7:41-43); Publicans and harlots
enter the Kingdom ahead of the smug, self-righteous Pharisees (Matthew
21:28).
- Blessed
Assurance – The Sower “seems” to lose lots of seed but the
ultimate return is staggering (Mark 4:3-8); the Publican’s
repentance assures his justification (Luke 18:14).
- The
Impending Catastrophe – the Rich Fool sleeps on a Volcano (Luke
12:16); When the tower fell, both guilty and innocent were caught in
the trap (Luke 13:15).
- For
Some It’s Too Late – the Wedding Garment is necessary (Matthew
22:12); the Rich Man versus Lazarus (Luke 16:31).
- The
Call to Dramatic, Unexpected Change – the Unjust but Dynamic
Steward (Luke 16:1-8); the child-like attitude, an acted parable
(Matthew 18:4).
- Discipleship
starts NOW – learning to forgive is an absolute (Matthew
18:23-25); go and do likewise (Luke ____________ ).
- Hard
testing – Peter’s own Gethsemane (Mark 14:27-31); the stone
rejected (Mark 8:31); the kernel that dies (John ____________ ).
- All’s
Well that Ends Well – the budding tree (Luke 21:29-33); the coming
Great Reversal when the lowly get the chief spot (Luke ____________ ).
- Coming
Home – the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:24); Jesus serves at the Banquet
(Luke 12:37).
Though judgment is a
prominent feature of the parables, George Herbert’s “Love 3” shows,
Yes, God will forgive us. What better news can there be than that! Go and spread the good news.
************************************************************
Fill in Blanks: comparison,
vehicle, message of the Kingdom, hardened and blinded, Matthew 21:45,
Kingdom, Salvation, Wisdom and Folly, Discipleship, Judgment.