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The
Parables: Both Grace and Judgment (2)
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.
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Fill in Blanks: comparison,
vehicle, message of the Kingdom, hardened and blinded, Matthew 21:45,
Kingdom, Salvation, Wisdom and Folly, Discipleship, Judgment.
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