PARABLES OF JESUS
- RIDDLES OF WISDOM
Brad Scheelke - May - November 2019
Why riddles?
"It is the glory of God to hide a matter and the glory of kings to seek out a matter." -Proverbs 25:2
The prophets sometimes spoke in riddles.
The Good Shepherd of Israel was the riddle master.
Every word in the gospels is carefully placed and makes simple sense in the original context as spoken to the lost sheep of Israel, under law, before the cross, and who knew well the Old Testament--or at least they thought they did. The parables are rooted in the Old Testament prophets.
The gospels are clear and simple records of their life with Jesus and were written to reveal Jesus' goodness and their self-righteous confusion. If the parables are confusing, it is because we are missing their context. Let's begin with honesty. God is not confused. All the confusion is ours. I am a confused Christian. Are you with me?
Hint: Did Jesus tell the parables before the cross or after, and does it matter?
Listen to discover how the parables fit in the context of life in God's community just before the cross and in anticipation of Pentecost--life in the new covenant.
You may be surprised at how simple and clear they become. Context, context, context.
First Surprise: the parable of the 4 soils is the outline of Jesus' ministry.
"It is the glory of God to hide a matter and the glory of kings to seek out a matter." -Proverbs 25:2
The prophets sometimes spoke in riddles.
The Good Shepherd of Israel was the riddle master.
Every word in the gospels is carefully placed and makes simple sense in the original context as spoken to the lost sheep of Israel, under law, before the cross, and who knew well the Old Testament--or at least they thought they did. The parables are rooted in the Old Testament prophets.
The gospels are clear and simple records of their life with Jesus and were written to reveal Jesus' goodness and their self-righteous confusion. If the parables are confusing, it is because we are missing their context. Let's begin with honesty. God is not confused. All the confusion is ours. I am a confused Christian. Are you with me?
Hint: Did Jesus tell the parables before the cross or after, and does it matter?
Listen to discover how the parables fit in the context of life in God's community just before the cross and in anticipation of Pentecost--life in the new covenant.
You may be surprised at how simple and clear they become. Context, context, context.
First Surprise: the parable of the 4 soils is the outline of Jesus' ministry.
#1 - WHERE ARE YOU FEEDING?
The Good Shepherd always leads you to righteousness.
The Good Shepherd always leads you to righteousness.
#2 - WHERE DO YOU FIT IN GOD'S STORY?
#3 - DO YOU LIKE JESUS' SURPRISE?
#4 - DO YOU HAVE EARS TO HEAR?
#5 - HAVE YOU ENDURED TO THE END?
#6 - WHAT DO YOU SOW - LIFE OR DEATH?
#7 - IS GOD'S ANTICIPATION YOURS?
Why do all Jesus' parables point to Pentecost?
Why do all Jesus' parables point to Pentecost?
#8 - WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU SAY.
#9 - IS UNQUENCHABLE FIRE FOR YOU?
#10 - THE WISEST PERSON JESUS MET
Only one person solved Jesus' riddle.
Only one person solved Jesus' riddle.
#11 - DO YOU WANT TO BE A HYPOCRITE?
What is leaven about?
What is leaven about?
#12 - DO YOU FEAR QUESTIONS?
#13 - WHY PRAY WITHOUT CEASING?
The parable of the persistent widow
The parable of the persistent widow
#14 - WHOSE GOODNESS DO YOU PROCLAIM?
the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
#15 - IS THE SPIRIT MOVING IN YOU?
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
#16 - HAVE YOU DONE GOD'S WILL?
The parable of the two sons
The parable of the two sons
#17 - CAN YOU NAME GOD'S TUNE?
The parable of the tenants
The parable of the tenants
#18 - ARE YOU THE UNRIGHTEOUS MANAGER?
The parable of the unrighteous manager
The parable of the unrighteous manager
#19 - THE CELEBRATION OF THE LAMB - ARE YOU IN?
the parable of the wedding feast
the parable of the wedding feast
#20 - WHAT IS PENTECOST TO YOU?
The parable of the ten virgins
The parable of the ten virgins
#21 - DO YOU LOVE OTHERS?
What are Jesus' commands?
What are Jesus' commands?
#22 - IS GOD'S GOODNESS YOUR TALENT?
The parable of the talents
The parable of the talents
#23 - WHY DID JESUS SEPARATE THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS?
Jesus' last parable
The surprise of where the Son of Man comes
Jesus' last parable
The surprise of where the Son of Man comes
#24 - WHY NO MORE PARABLES?
Parables are riddles of wisdom to reveal human shame
Parables are riddles of wisdom to reveal human shame
#25 - WHY DO ALL ROADS LEAD TO PENTECOST?
Because life is in God's faithfulness!
Finale on the Parables
Humans have no ability to be a source of moral goodness, including faithfulness.
But to be human means to need and crave faithfulness.
Jesus' faithfulness is the only good spiritual food.
Whose faithfulness are feeding on right now?
Are you satisfied with God's goodness and faithfulness, right now?
Because life is in God's faithfulness!
Finale on the Parables
Humans have no ability to be a source of moral goodness, including faithfulness.
But to be human means to need and crave faithfulness.
Jesus' faithfulness is the only good spiritual food.
Whose faithfulness are feeding on right now?
Are you satisfied with God's goodness and faithfulness, right now?
