A Parable about Death – Luke 16: 19-31

Posted on April 14, 2025 by dkoop

Several men went on a weeklong fishing trip.   Each day they would stop for bait and ice, there was an old man sitting on porch and the first day he said, “It’s going to rain today.” And sure enough it did. The next day, the men asked, “Is it going to rain old man?” “NO Fair all day, but a might chilly”, sure enough fair all day, a little chilly.  All week they went to him to find out the weather.  On the last day, “what’s the weather?” “I don’t know,” the man replied. “Don’t know?” “No my radio is broken.”   He only spoke of what he knew.

In our parable Jesus moves beyond the range of our experiences into the world of the unknown.  He speaks of the visible and invisible equally and open.  He is just as familiar with heaven and hell as we are rich and poor.  It is what he knows because Jesus is God.

Jesus starts the parable “A certain rich man,” and describes common characteristics of a wealthy lifestyle at that time. He then contrasts him with a poor man and common characteristics of what the poor would deal with.

Why the opposites? Some thought that this was directed to the Pharisees and Sadducees who taught and believed that riches meant you were blessed by God and poverty was a curse, sickness was the judgment of God, it meant you were being punished.  Have you ever heard this?  It is not true.  That is why Jesus went around healing everyone to show God’s compassion.  He had to even correct his disciples. Whose fault is it this man is blind his or his parents, Jesus said neither.   Jesus is showing them the opposite can be true.

 My status in society does not determine my status before God

My life on earth will end.

No matter how many medical advances we come up with, the death rate is still and will always be 100%.

Lots of people have their whole lives mapped out before them of where they would like to be 10, 20, 50 years from now. But not very many have taken time to consider and prepare for where they will be 1,000,000 years from now. Have you? Are you prepared to face death?

Both men died, this is their only similarity. The inevitable happened both died it was the mercy of God in the order of their deaths.  Lazarus died first being delivered from his miseries on earth, the rich man dying second with God giving him longer period that he may repent and turn to Him.

“The time came when the beggar died” (vs 22a)

“The rich man also died and was buried (vs. 22c)

In that culture, when wealthy people passed away, the family hired mourners, purchased costly spices for the body and used an elaborate tomb for the burial. The whole town probably turned out for the funeral of the rich man and listened to the shrieks and lamentations of the professional weepers and the litany of praise heaped upon the rich man by countless eulogies. The rich man has a burial, professional mourners and a fancy procession, flags at half-mast.  It probably made the Jerusalem Headline news. Today he would be mentioned by all the major news outlets.  He was laid in a tomb, in a cave, carved into a hill, which was very expensive.

On earth wealth is a big deal.  We know the name of the rich and famous

Here the names of the rich are known and when they are talked about they are designated by name.  Who owns the Dallas cowboys? Tesla? Amazon?

But the poor are not known or considered worthy of being noted unless they commit some crime.  In this story it is totally opposite of life on earth. No name for rich man.   A “certain” rich man, but the poor man is called by name. Lazarus.  This is the opposite of the way it normally is.

No Burial for Lazarus.  No pomp on earth, since he could not afford a burial plot he was probably throw in the city dump, a place called Gehenna or Hinnom where they would throw trash, dead animals and bodies of malefactors, outcasts and lepers.  That’s why when Jesus was crucified they asked Pilot for his body for burial.  If the family didn’t ask for the body it would be thrown in the dump.

No earthly burial, but look what happens.  The poor man that no one served and only dogs attended to is carried by ANGELS to Abraham’s side. What is that? This is to represent the best place of honor.  For Jews Abraham was the father of their race and their faith. To be considered a friend of Abraham was the highest honor possible and true happiness would be to spend eternity at his side.

I will end up in one of two places.

  •  Heaven (Paradise)

(Lazarus) the angels carried him to Abraham’s side (vs 22b)

OR

  • Hell (Hades in the Greek)

In hell, where he was in torment (vs. 23)

We may not like the topic of hell but Jesus didn’t beat around the bush about the subject.

The majority of Americans believe in hell, a poll conducted by US News and World Report (2000) reveals that more Americans then believe in Hell than they did in the 1950’s. [US News and World Report. “Hell Hath No Fury.” January 31,2000. p. 46]

I decide my destination by my faith

 This is a story about faith, when Jesus said “Abrahams side.”  We think “big deal.”  Abraham is mentioned in the New Testament 72 times.  Abraham is regarded in Scripture as being not only the great patriarch (Hebrews 7:4) but also the father of all believers (Romans 4:11).  He was the father of the faith.  So to say Lazarus is leaning against Abraham is to say he is the son with the most faith of all!

 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:26&29

 If you have ever traveled out of the country you will need a passport.  In order to get into heaven we will need a heavenly passport.  The bible records in Revelation 20 that our names get written in the “Lambs Book of Life.”  This is your passport to heaven.  Do you have your name written there? I am not talking about intellectual assent.  “Yeah I believe I need a passport.” Have you gotten it?  “No I haven’t gotten around to it.    In order to get one you have to sign up, fill out the paperwork and pay the fee.  Well our heavenly fee has been paid but we need to sign up.  We need to say, “Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins, I turn from them and invite you into my life.”   You need to do this not just think about it.

We must not forget that the primary intention of the parable is about the consequences of misplaced faith.  Faith in riches, heritage, religion.  Remember…

  • Riches do not equal hell.  Misplaced Faith = Hell

Have you noticed every parable we have looked at, the stories Jesus tells deal with money?  It is because money is the acid test of your faith.

If we spend all our money on ourselves and God gets little or leftovers, I hope we see that we have unbelief.  Our belief is that our money is our security and our faith is in that.  We are no different than the rich man.  I am not talking about religion.  The rich man had religion, “Father Abraham” he said.  Jesus says, “not everyone who says to me “Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven but he who does the will of my Father.”  Matthew 7:21 It’s more than talk.  It’s more than belief.  James says, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  (James 2:17)

As a pastor I must urge you to examine the faith that you claim.  Examine your actions.  What do they reveal?  Is your faith in money, status, popularity, image or is your faith in Christ alone?   I don’t want you to end up like the rich man, deceived by a false faith.

Darrell

www.Upwards.Church

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The Rich Man & Lazarus Commentary – Luke 16:19-31

Posted on April 13, 2025 by dkoop

In Jesus’ parable of a rich man and a poor man, their fortunes were exactly reversed at death: the poor man went to paradise, while the rich man suffered in hell. In agony, the rich man cried out for help, asking Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers of this tragic, irreversible fate.

16:19-21 Finally, regarding the Pharisees’ attitude toward money (they “dearly loved” it, 16:14), Jesus gave an illustration that vividly portrays the value of money in light of future judgment. This Lazarus should not be confused with the Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead in John 11. Incidentally, this is the only person in any of Jesus’ stories who is given a name. The rich man in this parable lived out the lifestyle afforded to the wealthy who lived in the Roman Empire. Splendid clothing, delicious food of all types, and days lived in luxury could be had by those with enough money.

In contrast, there is a poor diseased beggar. Ancient Rome had no middle class—there were the very rich and the very poor. Often the poor were reduced to begging in order to survive. This man, Lazarus, was sick, hungry, and abandoned, so he lay at the rich man’s door, longing for scraps from the rich man’s table. Leftovers were all he desired, and the rich man could easily have shared from his extravagance by sending a servant out with a plateful. But the rich man chose to spend his money on himself, refusing to share, probably not even taking notice of the poor man at his door. His wealth was not sinful, but his selfishness was. While he had everything he could possibly want, Lazarus lay hungry with even the dogs licking his open sores.

  • LIFE APPLICATION – HARD-HEARTED HOARDING
  • The Pharisees considered wealth to be a proof of a person’s righteousness. Jesus startled them with this story where a diseased beggar is rewarded and a rich man is punished. The rich man did not go to hell because of his wealth but because he lacked faith and compassion by refusing to feed Lazarus, take him in, or care for him. The rich man was hard-hearted despite his great blessings. The amount of money a person has is not as important as the way he or she uses it. What is your attitude toward your money and possessions? Do you hoard them selfishly, or do you use them to help others?

16:22-23 In time, both the rich man and Lazarus died, for death takes everyone regardless of social station or wealth. The rich man ended up in torment in the place of the dead, the destiny of those who have refused to believe. The “torment” is described in 16:24 as “flames.” Added to the torment was the rich man’s ability to see paradise, with Abraham and Lazarus in peace and luxury. The role reversal is obvious—as Lazarus once lay in pain outside the door of the rich man’s house watching him feast, so here the rich man was in torment watching the joy far away in heaven.

In contrast, Lazarus must have been a God-fearing man, despite the fact that God had not allowed him an easy or pleasant lifetime on earth. When Lazarus died, the angels carried him to be with Abraham, another way of describing the Kingdom.

Jesus’ words teach about the danger of making money a god or idol, trusting money more than God, and the finality of God’s judgment.

16:24-25 Not only could the rich man in this story see into heaven’s bliss from his torment, but he could call out to those in paradise as well. He spoke to Father Abraham, a title any Jew would use for Abraham, the father of their nation (John 8:39). The request for Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water shows that the rich man’s basic attitude had not changed. For all his deference to Abraham, he still thought of Lazarus as no more than a messenger who could be sent by Abraham to do the rich man a favor.

Abraham sent an answer, but not the one that the rich man wanted or even expected. The rich man may have thought there was a mistake. He had been rich, and if wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, why would he be in agony? Abraham explained that, during their time on earth, the rich man had everything, but Lazarus had nothing. While the rich man could have helped the poor within his reach (such as Lazarus), he chose only personal pleasure. The roles for eternity would be reversed. Lazarus went from pain and hunger to comfort; the rich man went from pleasure and merriment to anguish. This would have unnerved the Pharisees who were listening to this parable. To them, wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, poverty a sign of God’s disfavor. So they enjoyed their wealth and did not attempt to bridge the chasm that separated them from the “disfavored ones.” But Jesus was explaining that another chasm would develop, and they would find themselves on the wrong side.

16:26 Abraham explained to the rich man that he couldn’t send Lazarus because between them and him was a great chasm and no one can cross over. The ultimate fates cannot be changed. God’s decision upon death is final. There is only one life on this earth, and that is the time of decision. People cannot wait until eternity to make their relationship right with God—it will be too late. The judgment will have been made on the basis of their choices, and it will be irreversible.

16:27-29 The rich man still thought Lazarus could be sent on messenger duty. If Lazarus could not come to help him, then he wanted Lazarus sent to warn his five brothers about the place of torment so they wouldn’t have to go there when they died. Abraham simply explained that they could read the words of Moses and the prophets (that is, the Old Testament) and there find the warnings about the place of torment. If those brothers hadn’t heeded the major message of God in his word, they would not heed a messenger.

  •  LIFE APPLICATION – HARD-CORE SKEPTIC
  • In his life, the rich man refused to listen to God’s command to be generous to the poor. Honest and difficult questions about God will always tug at the minds and hearts of honest searchers who are open and curious and do not regard questions as threats or sins. Hard-core skeptics reject such questions as unsolvable and therefore unimportant. Their minds are resolved to avoid matters of faith, God, and eternity.   If you have questions, that’s good. Keep looking for answers. If you have given up, take this story’s warning. The serious pursuit of good questions is our human responsibility; an uncaring disposition erects a high wall between you and truth. One day all must give an account for rejecting God.

16:30-31 Perhaps the rich man knew his brothers only too well. The suggestion that they read God’s word (or listen to it read in the synagogue) met with a no. It just wouldn’t happen—probably for the same reasons that the rich man himself never had heeded the warnings therein. So the rich man begged that someone from the dead go back to them. Surely, then, they would turn from their sins. Abraham answered that if these brothers did not listen to Moses and the prophets, then they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead and appears to them.

Notice the irony in Jesus’ statement; on his way to Jerusalem to die, he was fully aware that even when he had risen from the dead, most of the religious leaders would not accept him. They were set in their ways, and neither Scripture nor God’s Son himself would shake them loose.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Sources:  Bible Background Commentary, Bible Knowledge Commentary, Life Application Bible Commentary, Life Application Concise New Testament Commentary

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A Parable about a Great Banquet – Luke 14:15-24

Posted on April 7, 2025 by dkoop

“A certain man was preparing a great banquet” Luke: 14:16

The “certain man” in this story represents God. This much is obvious and not usually debated. What is interesting and instructive is that this man, who represents God, is “preparing a great banquet.” In other words, God is preparing for a celebration.

This is a rather shocking picture of God for many people today. God is usually perceived as the Heavenly Sheriff who’s ready to give you a ticket for the slightest infraction, or he is perceived like a miserly boss at work who you hope to please by enough hard work and sacrifice. Rarely is God perceived as one who would throw a party or a banquet, yet in the Bible this is a regular theme and presentation.

For instance, in the story of the Prodigal Son, the father who represents God in the story throws a party or banquet for the son upon his return. Revelation 19:9 refers to God’s people participating in a great party known as the “Great Wedding Supper or Banquet of the Lamb.” In Isaiah 55 God invites everyone to freely come and share at his table where there is “wine and milk” and you can “eat what is good and delight in the richest of fare.” Even the religious life for the ancient Israelites revolved around seven feast or celebrations. Considering all these things it is very evident that God isn’t what some people perceive Him tom be. He loves to celebrate and prepares for his people to experience his joyous celebrations.

I want you to understand what God is truly like! People constantly think that God wants to take something away from them. People think that following God means a joyless existence because God is stern and demanding. This understanding of God is a caricature of religion and not the reality of God’s character.

  …and invited many guests.”  (Vs. 16)

It was customary to in that day to send two invitations.  One to announce the event:  days or weeks before the event occurred.  The second, a verbal summons to tell the guests everything was ready.  It seems strange to us today but both Jewish society and Roman society of that day practiced the courtesy of sending a personal summons at the dinner hour.

The guests in Jesus story insulted the host by making excuses when he issued the second invitation.  In Israel’s history God’s first invitation came from Moses and the prophets.  The second invitation came from Jesus, (God in the flesh).  The religious leaders accepted the first invitation, but they wouldn’t accept Jesus. They insulted God by refusing to accept Jesus.

  • What is this party or banquet referring to? Heaven

 A man’s comment causes Jesus to tell this parable.  He said, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:15

What is this banquet or party referring to?  Salvation or entering God’s Kingdom, it is an invitation to God’s house.  If you’re invited to someone’s house for the first time, there is element of curiosity, anticipation and excitement.  What does their house look like?, what kind of food will there be? What will we do, what will we talk about?  This is an invitation to God’s house.

 “Everything is now ready” stated the invitation This is no potluck supper.  You and I are not required to bring anything …   but ourselves to the Lord’s Party.

 The invitation is very simple. Come

 “At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’”  (Vs. 17)

 Not a word about “do this” and then I can come, “clean up my act” and then I can come. I am extended a “just as I am” invitation.  

We cannot achieve heaven and we can’t earn it.  It is complete.  It’s done.  We just have to come.  All that is missing from the party is you.   All that is missing from the party are those that don’t come.

The servant was not selling tickets for admission. It was not a $5,000 a plate fundraiser. It wasn’t a benefit supper where you kick in whatever you feel led. It wasn’t even a kingdom potluck, where you bring a main dish and salad or dessert. The master says, “Come, for everything is ready now.” All you need to bring is yourself. It is totally free for you, because the host picked up the tab. You eat at His expense.

This is one of the most beautiful things about God’s gospel invitation, and yet it is one of the most difficult things for people to accept because it means that they cannot take any credit for themselves. If they can offer something in exchange for the meal, they feel better about it, but to come and eat freely is an affront to their dignity and pride. But there is only one way that God offers His salvation: He pays for it all and all you can do is come and receive it freely.

Will you receive God’s gift of salvation for free?

Those invited to a free banquet in this parable would hardly look for a way out!  When this occurred in Jesus parable, no doubt his listeners sat up and listened to what happened next.

Am I Making Excuses?  (18-20)

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’  Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’”  (Vs. 18-20)

Jesus offered three examples of excuses offered to the host.  The excuses came from the ordinary course of business and family life.   They were polite.  “Please excuse me”

What do you think these same people if invited to another banquet a year later would have said?  Doubtless business would be more demanding; more acres and more livestock would have been purchased.  Family life would have been more engrossing.

 Were these good excuses?  Before you answer, consider this story.   A man asked his neighbor if he could borrow a ladder.   Sorry, I can’t let you borrow the ladder, said the neighbor, it’s leaning against the wall and it keeps the wall from falling down.  Why that’s ridiculous declared the man, your ladder doesn’t hold up the wall!”  True, the neighbor replied but when you don’t want to do something one excuse is as good as another.”

Most people agree that these business people would have not bought a piece of property or yolk of oxen sight unseen.  They would have looked at the property or the oxen first.  And newly married people went to parties as well to get established socially, it was insulting not to and a young man would want to look good in the eyes of the community for his social business reasons;  so this doesn’t make sense.  What all these boil down to are just excuses.

  • Excuses reveal my priorities.
  • Life consists of priorities and choices. I give my attention to my priorities. 

When I was single and very busy someone mentioned dating or girlfriend and I remarked that I was glad there wasn’t one because I don’t have time for her.  They said and I’ll never forget, “You will make time for what is important to you.”   So when the Lord brought Niki into my life I did make time for her and I still do because she is important to me.

 I will make time for what is important to me.

When you say, I don’t have time Lord, You have just revealed where the Lord is in your priorities.    So we make excuses… Our excuses are just as silly as theirs were.

 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant…”  (Vs. 21)

 Notice that the host hurt.  How do you feel when people give you lame excuses?  We would be angry and the host in the story is angry too.

The spiritual meaning is that if you refuse God’s invitation to salvation, you risk receiving his anger.  Rejection hurts.  There is no pain like rejection.  God feels this too.

If I refuse God’s invitation to salvation, I will receive his anger.

 Am I Inviting Others?  (21-24)

 If I have accepted God’s invitation to his party, I need to invite others.

  “…Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.”  (Vs. 21)

Wait a minute! This is where the town beggars and outcasts stayed   YES!  “bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.”   These groups represent people that begged for a living; people that were dirty or drunk, bums and the homeless.  Normally they would not be invited to banquets.

  • Jesus is saying that salvation is free to all people, even those I might consider undesirable.

In college if you try to join a certain sorority or fraternity you may not be accepted.  They may black ball you.  Some churches even won’t receive you.  But Christ will!  No matter who you are or what you have done, Christ accepts you!

A minister in Minnesota observed the hurt feelings of and depression of high school students without dates on Senior Prom Night.  John Carlson decided to do something for those not in the popular and beautiful crowd.  He planned an alternative party for all those without dates on prom night.   It took place on the same night as the Senior Prom and the students loved it.  There was no stopping this party, the press heard about it and spread the news.  A large corporation decided to give watches to all those who attended.  Other companies soon joined in.  Soon a bag full of gifts was given to everyone at the alternative prom.  It had more to offer. Some students who even could get date wouldn’t so they could go.  It was better party.

Heaven is the best party and it lasts forever.  Some of the “best” people (in the world’s eyes), the rich and famous, may not be there.  They need to accept the invitation.   They are too busy making money, movies, partying to accept God’s invitation.

“‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’”  (Vs. 22)

 This passage suggests the enormity of the party. There is always room for one  The salvation of God is open to all who will respond. 

 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel (KJV) them to come in, so that my house will be full.’” (Vs. 23)

We have searched the city now go into the country!   This is where the lepers, outlaws and outcasts would be.  The banquet is for all people, all of us together, all races, classes,  all people for Jesus.   We who have accepted God’s invitation to the Party, we need to compel others to come to the party.

Notice the phrase “make them or compel them to come in” This is great.  Some people will need some prodding.  We are not to force them. But we are to lovingly be persistent.   They may be reluctant at first to come.

  • Some people will need some prodding to come. They may be reluctant at first to come.  Don’t force them – be lovingly persistent. 

 “I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”  (Vs. 24)

 If I fail to accept God’s invitation, I will not enjoy the blessings of his salvation. I will be separated from God. 

To each of us today Jesus issues the same urgent invitation, “Come for everything is now ready” Will you come?  If you’re a seeker or unbeliever, Christ invites you just as you are.  You don’t have to do anything except receive Jesus and his invitation to heaven.

 As a believer I am responsible to invite others.

 For those of you who are believers you are responsible to invite others:  friends, neighbors, and co-workers.  We are God’s servants to bring others.  Do you know how Peter came to be a disciple? His brother Andrew brought him to Jesus.  He said, “Hey Pete, come see this guy who may be the Messiah” Peter had to be invited!   Did you know Billy Graham became a Christian because someone invited him to a revival service?    I am not saying to be obnoxious or rude.  Just care enough to invite someone.  This day with the corona virus we can’t invite to an actual building but we can invite to our streaming service.  You don’t have to be a Billy Graham or an Apostle Peter but you could invite one who could become one.

We are to be inviting others and serving others.  This is what it is to be God’s servant.  This story is only a few chapters after Jesus sent out the 72 (his 12 disciples and 60 others) to the towns and villages around. (Luke 10)  They were sent, they were not to sit around and sing “kumbaya.” There are people ready to come, ready to be invited, ready to have someone who cares for them, but few who will invite, few who will care.  Will you believer, care enough to invite?

Darrell

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/leander-campus/watch-now-message-videos

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Invitation and Introduction – Kingdom Parables in Luke

Posted on April 4, 2025 by dkoop

You’re invited to our new message series:  Kingdom Parables from the book of Luke!

Description: Have you heard a great story lately? We all love a story that we can relate to.  Jesus was a master story teller who told stories with a spiritual point called Parables.  Since the human spirit is the same in each generation, we find Jesus’ Parables as relevant today as the day he told them.  Our spring message series will examine some of the most beloved Parables by Jesus in the book of Luke.  Pull up a chair and join us for Kingdom Parables!

Dates                      Titles                                              Events

April 6 – A Parable about a Party (Great Banquet)

April 13 – A Parable about Death (Lazarus & the Rich Man) Palm Sunday, Communion

April 20 – A Resurrection Appearance (Road to Emmaus)                          EASTER

April 27 – A Parable About Serving (Talents)                    Serving Emphasis /Mission

May 4 – A Parable about Neighbors (Good Samaritan)      Mission Emphasis

May 11 –A Parable about Needs (Widow, Tax Collector)                            Mothers’ Day

Introduction to Luke’s Parables

The parables of Jesus were stories He told to illustrate spiritual truth with everyday things. Seeds, fish, trees, bread — things people could easily relate to. While the parables He told sparked spiritual understanding in some people, they also served to make others aware of their own darkened spirituality.

Jesus did not code His teaching to prevent some people from understanding, since all equally would understand the imagery. All those gathered there certainly comprehended the aspects of the stories related to their everyday lives. Instead, His teaching divided the listeners into two groups based on their own responses.

His miracles had attracted many, and others had perhaps been astonished by His earlier teaching. But the parables themselves, just as in the story of the seed falling on various places (Matthew 13:3-9), revealed the true nature of their responses and their real decisions. Those committed to the Kingdom of God would seek and find further understanding. But those uncommitted—perhaps listening only because of the initial excitement—would reject the teaching as unintelligible.

However, some responded to their uncomfortable lack of understanding by pressing into Jesus harder. Nicodemus and the woman at the well are two examples of people who thought they understood the truth about spirituality and when they were confronted with Jesus’ unsettling words, they pushed into Him instead of drawing away.

Why Did Jesus Use Parables to Teach?

Jesus, a master storyteller, used parables to put the substance of faith into concrete form. He wanted to direct his hearer’s thinking and actions into a new realm of thought. Using parables, he shocked his hearers, called them to action, and challenged their ideals and values. Parables are more than stories; they proclaim the Gospel and call us to respond. As Jesus’ ministry continued, his teachings transitioned from direct instruction to clothed in parables. There are two reasons for this. One, following Jesus’ brilliant Sermon on the Mount, the Pharisees and many of his followers began rejecting his message. Two, it was to fulfill Isaiah’s prediction that some people would be ever hearing but never understanding because of their calloused hearts.

Toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he faced increasing resistance and disbelief. Many times, he used parables to answer his critics. Parables became the vehicle to conceal truth from his enemies and reveal it to his followers. In his final six months, he told twenty-nine parables that centered on the future aspects of the Kingdom to be sought after.

How to Interpret Parables

While parables use comparison and analogy, we cannot confuse them with allegories. An allegory makes many comparisons through a coded message and each detail is a separate metaphor. There are four basic guidelines for interpreting parables. Following these four guidelines will help us determine the central meaning of each parable.

Our first step in interpreting parables is not overemphasizing the details in the parable. Each parable has one main truth to convey and the details support that truth. They do not detract from the truth Jesus intended. When we assign too much weight to the details, we miss the main point of the truth Jesus taught.

Second, we need to determine whether Jesus supplied the meaning of the parable. Many times, Matthew, Mark, and Luke note that Jesus gives a detailed explanation of the parable. We would be wise not to deviate from Jesus’ clarification.

Third, we need to remember that a parable represents a figure of speech and requires careful interpretation. This means that we need to avoid using parables as the foundation of doctrine. Parables are not the foundation or source of doctrine. They are illustrations Jesus used to support his teachings.

Fourth, context, context, context. When we interpret parables, we need to read the text before and after the parable. Then we ask: What is happening? What is the parable in response to? Who is there? What is the cultural context? For example, in the biblical sense, the word mystery means something revealed. But in our cultural understanding, it means something hidden. Biblical cultural context matters.

Parables Call Us to Action

Jesus used parables as a teaching method to illustrate his points. We learn that he calls us to his kingdom, he desires to save, they tell us how to live for him, and they inform us of future events. Every parable supports but does not define Jesus’ teachings. They are the best kind of stories and bring color to our lives today. They still provoke a call to action in us and remind us that God’s word is living and active, useful for everyday life.

List of Luke’s Parables

Each parable Jesus told served to bring truth and that truth functioned like a knife separating those who wanted truth and those who didn’t.

Here is a simplified list of topics included in Jesus’ parables. Many of the parables described the Kingdom of Heaven, not just heaven the place, but heaven as a kingdom with a purpose.

How The Kingdom Of Heaven Works (How God’s Character/Values Are Revealed)

How God Responds to Those Who Have Gone Astray

Why Does This Matter Today?

While the parables reveal spiritual truth through practical illustrations, regardless of whether or not a sowing seed hits us personally in our day-to-day living, just like the original audience, the parables require us to decide if we press into or turn away from the Scripture we understand. Will we respond like the disciples who followed Jesus until His words seemed too radical or will we, like Peter, Nicodemus, and the woman at the well, follow Him all the more when His words are hard to swallow?

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Sources: https://www.christianity.com/jesus/life-of-jesus/parables/why-did-jesus-teach-in-parables.html

https://www.christianity.com/11820931/

https://www.christianity.com/newsletters/evangelism-weekly/what-is-the-meaning-behind-parables.html

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