Parables -classification of

Parables –classification of

 

There are certain main themes in Jesus Parables. We can group them in four for convenience.

 

The coming of the Kingdom

One of the very main teachings of Jesus’ Parables is the Kingdom of God. And the Parables that support this theme are:

The Kingdom had arrived – The patch and wineskin  

The Kingdom grows – The mustard seed

Kingdom of God is among us – The leaven

The mysterious growing power of the Kingdom – Growing seed

Need to give attention to the Kingdom – Parable of the Sower

Kingdom is for all for the time being – Parable of the Weed

– Parable of the Tare 

– Parable of the Dragnet

      Kingdom is to deliver men/women from demons –   Parables of the divided realm

–        Parable of strong man bound

–        Parable of emptied house

      The Kingdom of God is full of joy – Parable of the wedding guest

 

The Grace of the Kingdom

There are three things in the Parables of Grace.

1. God shows His love to all. He is all sinners’ friend.
2. He is the representative of God of grace
3. His Parables of grace were originally answered to criticism of the scribes.

Some examples of the grace parables that touch on the scribes are:

 

Grace regardless of the time when the repentance made –The Labors in the vineyard

Grace to all who repent –The two sons

Grace is entertained more from the truer repentance person –The two debtors

Grace extended from the rejection of Jews to the gentiles –The great supper

Grace is for the humbled and repented ones –The marriage feast

                                                                        –The Pharisees and the publican

                                                                        –The parables of the lost sheep/coin/son  

 

The men of the Kingdom

The third theme in the Kingdom of God is how should men live? There are certain requirements for men to live in the Kingdom. Jesus uses Parables to teach how should men behave in His Reign?

 

Men must see the value of the Kingdom and live accordingly – The hidden treasure

               – The costly pearl

Men must do best living in the Kingdom – The tower builder

Men must follow His sovereign rule in the Kingdom – The warring kings

Men must serve God gladly in His Kingdom – The house holder

Men are to serve Him royally and loyally – The farmer and his man

Men should live with prudence, shrewdness and gumption – Unjust steward.

Be kind and merciful in the Kingdom of God – Unmerciful servant

                                                                      – The Good Samaritan

 

Mission to the world – Savorless salt/Lamp and Bushel

Live according to His words not just knowing His Words – The two builders

 

The crisis of the Kingdom

There is crisis of the Kingdom. God came with mercy and forgiveness, yet men can not see Him. The Parable of the rich fool teaches exactly just that. There are also a few other Parables related to the teaching of the same principle. They are:

 

Time for the Kingdom is short and we should snatch it now – The barren fig tree.

            – The defendant

            – The rich and Lazarus

Men are not living in the Kingdom as they should – The savorless salt/sullen lamp.

Men are not living faithfully in the Kingdom – The servant in authority

Men are not investing their talent in witnessing His Kingdom – The talents

Men are unprepared for the Parousia – The waiting servants

                                                             – The burglar

                                                             – The ten virgins

                                                             – Wicked vinedresser

 

We should understand the theme teaching of the Parables, apply them to our circumstances today, and challenge for a life change. This is what Jesus did when He shared the parables to His disciples.