Parables and Miracle Stories of Jesus

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Recommended: Introduction on why Jesus used parables

Some of Jesus' parables have a very specific message, pinpointing a particular aspect of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Others have a broader view, enlightening us, to some process ongoing in the operation of the kingdom in our world. The parables I have chosen are of the second type: providing light on a process ongoing in the world with the kingdom operating with us today.
E. P. Sanders (Jesus and Judaism 1985, London, SCM Press) speaks of the kingdom in terms of ‘time present’ and ‘time future’. He tells us that Jesus used a deliberately ambiguous expression to make his listeners think. He also suggests that the gospel authors emphasised different kingdom characteristics on different occasions. As we read the gospels we see that the kingdom is present with Jesus and his disciples in their words and actions. We can sense this mounting excitement in the early chapters of the Synoptic gospels. The news about Jesus spreads rapidly; great crowds come to see him and the people are amazed. The time is right; there is a sense of the kingdom as a present reality. Jesus urges his followers to seek the kingdom with righteousness and all things shall come about in their lives (Matt 6:31-33). But, at the same time, the kingdom is not yet fully realised. It is also ‘time future’ and in the process of realisation. People must choose to believe, to follow, to act, to live under God’s laws, even if they are slow to understand –Luke 12:54-56. When they do accept God’s ways and act in accordance with them, then the kingdom will be realised – Luke 12:35-36.
Jesus told his disciples that not everyone would understand his parables. “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that see...

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... listen with faith and humility then we each will understand what Jesus wishes to speak to each of our hearts about the Kingdom of God.

Works Cited

Barclay W, The Gospel of Matthew: Chapters 11-28, (Scotland, St Andrews Press, 2001)
Bible quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version
Eldon Ladd G, Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God (Michigan, W.M.B Eerdmans Publishing, 1990)
Sanders E. P. Jesus and Judaism (London, SCM Press, 1985,)
Spurgeon C. H. Sown Among Thorns,The Spurgeon Archive, A Sermon (No. 2040) (Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, 1888 ) avaliable online at http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/2040.htm (last accessed 15.03.14)
The Gift of Scripture, Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales, and of Scotland,
The Catholic Truth Society. 2005
Parables & Kingdom Teaching (Moodle course material Topic 4)

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