Parables - Why And What Do They Mean?

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whirlwind

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Nov 8, 2007
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Matthew 13:1-3 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto Him, so that He went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying, “Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
The “same day” was when He stated that His spiritual family, “His mother and brethren” were those that “do the will of My Father Which is in heaven.” [Matthew 12:46-50] Christ left the “house,” meaning He left those that were His spiritual family, believers, and went out to teach the multitudes, some of whom included His physical family and friends who wanted to “lay hold on Him.” [Mark 3:21] That was the reason for teaching us that it will be necessary to love Him more than mother or father. So, He left the believers (the house) and went out to the sea side…(the sea being symbolic of humanity…the multitudes). They are “on the shore,” meaning….they stand at a crossroad. Will they cross to the “other side” or….not? His teaching will bring many to the other side but certainly not all. To them, to humanity….He speaks in parables and those that are to understand....will.
Matthew 13:10-11 And the disciples came, and said unto Him, “Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?” He answered and said unto them, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
That is done for their/our protection…not so they/we can’t be saved but so we don’t commit the one unforgiveable sin. Only those that understand the truth can commit that sin and only during Satan’s tribulation. The parables contained in this thirteenth chapter of Matthew ALL have to do with the beginning of the foundation of this world.
Matthew 13:34-35 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” 1. Parable of the sower. 2. Parable of the tares and the wheat. 3.Parable of the leaven. Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, “Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.”
Then….He explained to His spiritual family, believers, the true meaning. They/we are to understand. He opens that understanding to us.
13:53-54 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed thence. And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, “Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 13:57 And they were offended in Him. But Jesus said unto them, “A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.”​
Again….this is one of the reasons you must love Him more than family and friends. They, who have known us before Christ became our life….will remember that person, that "old man." It is difficult for them to see who we now are. Christ will open understanding to us but will they know that, will they believe that or will they see you as even the friends of Christ saw Him?
Mark 3:21 And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, “He is beside Himself.”
Meaning…..they thought He was “out of His senses.” What do your family and friends think of your new man since the old one has died? What do those that knew you from before think of your love for Christ, the knowledge He has opened to you and your zeal for sharing His Word? If we are blessed it will be accepted and cherished but for many it could be a difficult time. That brings us to the point of this thread. What are the lessons contained in the three parables? What is the secret they contain that has been kept secret from the beginning of the world? We, as His spiritual family, are to understand.