Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this article that may provide me with a small commission at no cost to you. These programs have been vetted. We need affiliate revenue to continuously run this website at no charge to our esteemed subscribers.
Parables are stories that present spiritual truth in a simple, easy to understand package yet hidden to all those who are not true believers. Jesus used parables to teach the kingdom of God and its principles. He did this because his primary objective was to present the kingdom of God to true seekers. This was a complex concept to the people of his time because of their expectations and the political climate at that time. Habitually, he would start with the phrase “the kingdom of God is like…”, present the parables then explain them to his followers.
Because the kingdom of God was the primary message Jesus Christ came to present, knowing, meditating on, and understanding the true message in the parables should be important to any Christian. He preached the kingdom knowing that through his death and resurrection those who believe in him will gain access.
In all Jesus used more than Thirty parables to describe the Kingdom of God. Here are my top 5 parables and how they have impacted my Christian walk.
Parable of the Lost Sheep
“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:3-7
A striking aspect of this parable when I read it for the first time was Jesus leaving the ninety-nine for the one sheep that was lost. I did not consider it cruel that he left the ninety-nine in the wilderness. I considered it as a persuasive demonstration of God’s liquid love for the sheep currently outside his kingdom. The effort, presentation and celebration were all for one lost sheep even though the rest were already in the kingdom (as it were) – remarkable. It was thought provoking also that Jesus (the good shepherd) considered those were lost as sheep (and not goats) belonging to the father that though were lost had to be found no matter the cost – danger to the shepherd and even at the risk of losing the ninety nine in his custody. This was in stark contrast to the position of the religious leaders in the preceding verses who condemned him for receiving and eating with the ‘lost sheep’. Lastly, like the angels, those who love God celebrate with him when ever he recovers his lost sheep.
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” Mathew 13:24-30 KJV
This parable stunned me at first. Firstly, my normal religious and circular view saw the sowers lack of watchfulness over his farm and reluctance to stop the tares (weed) from maturing as lazy and counterproductive. Rarely does any farmer willingly let an enemy sow weed amongst his crops and then wait for them to all grow together before removal. The usual concern is that the weeds will compete and starve or kill the good seeds. So why was the farmer not concerned about the enemy or the tares?
A careful study reveals God’s manifold wisdom. The sower is God, the field represent the world of men and the good seed represent God’s word and those that are born-again. The tares or weeds are ideas of the Devil, his children. In fact, all those who are not born again and ideas, thoughts, philosophies from the Devil are technically tares – weeds among the good seed.
In the world of men, God is constantly sowing good seed and the enemy is regularly sowing tares that look like good seed but are not. Importantly, the enemy did this while men slept and not the sower (God). God never slumbers so the enemy could do this because men slept and though God knew what the enemy was doing, he let him for a reason – that the good seed and bad seed will grow together though the good will be distinguished from the bad in the fulness of time. Importantly, God also knew the superiority of his seed, trusting that it will mature despite the plans of the enemy to starve or kill it – “whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world”.
In the world of men today, God’s good seed and the Devils tares at the beginning of there growth may often look alike but the true seed matures into a fruitful tree. The tares bear no fruit and are easily recognized by the reapers when they mature than when they sprout. God’s angels (the reapers) in the fulness of time will do the separation. The good seed to a rewarding time in eternity and the other punishment. God did this so that none will have any excuse. The tares (sinners) and good seed (believers) will all grow together and see each other’s efforts. One trusting God and fulfilling their purpose in Christ. The other rejecting God and failing to fulfil their destiny in God, just like their father the Devil.
Other parables and stories that you may find interesting are:
Parable of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10:25-37Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:3-8Parable of the Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:31-32Parable of the Yeast - Matthew 13:33Parable of the Hidden Treasure - Matthew 13:44Parable of the Pearl - Matthew 13:45-46Parable of the Fishing Net - Matthew 13:47-50Parable of the Unmerciful Servant - Matthew 18:23-35Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16Parable of the Tenants - Matthew 21:33-46Parable of the Wedding Banquet - Matthew 22:1-14Parable of the Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13Parable of the Talents - Matthew 25:14-30Parable of the Growing Seed - Mark 4:26-29Parable of the Rich Fool - Luke 12:16-21Parable of the Great Banquet - Luke 14:16-24Parable of the Lost Sheep - Luke 15:3-7Parable of the Lost Coin - Luke 15:8-10Parable of the prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32Parable of the Shrewd Manager - Luke 16:1-12Parable of the Persistent Widow - Luke 18: 1-8Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18:9-14Parable of the Good Shepherd - John 10: 1-5 and 11-18New Cloth on an Old Coat - Luke 5:36New Wine in Old Wineskins - Luke 5:37-38Wise and Foolish Builders - Luke 6:47-49Forgiven Debts - Luke 7:36-50Unfruitful Fig Tree - Luke 13:6-9Jesus at a Pharisee's House - Luke 14:7-11Wise and Faithful Servants - Matthew 24:45-51Traveling Owner of the House - Mark 13:34-37Friend at Midnight - Luke 11:5-10
