Parable Collection 4

Parable Collection 4

Collin Leong. Feb 23 2024

1. The Rich Fool - Luke 12:13-21

The primary message is a warning against the dangers of greed and the pursuit of wealth for its own sake. The rich man is condemned for being focused solely on amassing material wealth without considering the needs of others or the uncertainties of life. The parable underscores the transience of life and the uncertainty of our time on earth. It encourages listeners to consider the eternal perspective and not to prioritize earthly possessions at the expense of spiritual matters. 

v13 - Someone into the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher". Teacher is an honorable and a high reference to someone. He asked that Jesus to divide the family inheritance between him and his older brother.  

Sometimes we think what's wrong with request, to ask for 50-50 with his brother? However, he is not just saying it is unfair, but he is also asking for something contrary to the Torah.  In the past , the older brother will receive double portion (Deut 21:17), however, this person did not agree.  This person wants what he thinks is fair for him, but not what God says.

Jesus called him, "man."   By using the term “man”, Jesus expresses grave censure and indignation. It’s a rebuke, highlighting that the man’s focus on earthly matters (inheritance) misses the spiritual essence of seeking God’s kingdom.

In contrast, When Jesus addressed someone as “son” or “child”, it reflected more than a biological relationship. In Mark 2:5, Jesus calls the paralyzed man “son”. Despite our modern view, this was not merely a casual term. It conveyed compassion, authority, and spiritual significance. 

Jesus asked the man, "who made me the judge or arbitrator over you?" (v14) He implied two things, one - nobody gave him the duty to do this, and second, this is not his purpose of coming to earth. He was here to bring redemption to man. 

Jesus told all of them: "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed..." (v15) The word "guard" means something important and spiritually important. We don't desire things but we desire to agree with God. 

When God spoke to Elijah, he spoke with a "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:11-13). However for most of us, it was too small and too still for us to hear in our life of worldly distractions. We should obey any small instructions from him, then we will learn to hear him better. 

Some people say "I'm alive so I'm living" No, your life is not what God designed to be. They think they are experience life with their things and assets, but all this is false and won't last forever. 

Jesus started a parable (v16) . A man was rich because his land had been plentiful all these years. However this year it was abundance and he ran out of barns to store the grain. 

In Greek it says "he was reasoning" (dialogízomai) - which implies "a confused mind interacting with other confused minds".  It is to "to ponder, or think thoroughly" which may lead to understanding or confusion. It is used in Mary's response to Gabriel's message (Luke 1:29 - to discern/ to consider/ to wonder) and The Pharisees' thoughts about Jesus forgiving sins (Luke 5:21 - begin to reason/ began thinking/ to question). 

He was reasoning to himself what should he do for his grains. Instead of asking himself, he should have asked God first. This is what we all do, whether we lack something or have abundance of money, we will ask our brain what should we do to invest in it for our own needs. 

His greed is motivated by his pride. He wants to build bigger barns, so that he looks better among the other farms. He says to his soul that “you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’  (v19)   He gave no thanksgiving, no acknowledgement, no appreciation to what God had done to make his field rich and sending the rain on time for planting and for harvesting. He was blind due to his own pride.

But God said to him ‘Fool, this night your soul will be required of you..." (v20)  he thinks he can enjoy his barns for many years but he has no control over his own life.  

Jesus concluded: “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (v21)

2. The Talent (The Ten Minas) - Luke 19:11-27 (Matthew 25:14-30)

The Talents parable teaches about the responsibility and accountability of individuals in using the resources and abilities God has given them. It highlights the rewards for faithful stewardship and the serious consequences of neglect and inaction.

Jesus was near Jerusalem and he knows what is coming to him. The disciples thought that the kingdom of God (not heaven) will appear soon once they enter Jerusalem. 

Jesus spoke a parable about a nobleman. In Greek, a nobleman is "eugenes", meaning "good" and "genes". The nobleman has "good genes", similar to Christ. The nobleman went to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. (v12)

He gave ten servants ten minas and to engage in business until he comes back. His citizens hated him and sent a delegation to say that they do not want this man to reign over them. (v13-14)

When he returned he wants to know what was gained by their business. The first one says his returns is 10 minas. He called him "good" (eu), as he has the same objective as God. He was given 10 cities to rule. The second ('another ') is the same type as the one, and made 5 minas. He was given 5 cities to rule. (v15-19)

Rev 20:4 says we are going rule and reign with Christ, based on the works we have done on earth. Based on this parable, our reward is the cities we will rule, according to our faithfulness to Christ.

But the third one "another" is dissimilar. The third one said he fear the nobleman, because is harsh and demanding man, reaping benefits where he did not directly invest effort. (v20-21)

The nobleman said he will condemned him with his own words. If he knows the what the nobleman is  (but actually he doesn't know), then he should put the minas in the bank, so that the nobleman can earn the interest. 

The lesson is we need to take an action for what he has been given. Philippians 2:12 says: "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Work out your salvation - means there should be results. If there are no fruits, then it's as if it is not alive.

The nobleman asked them to give the mina to him who had ten. But they think it wasn't fair. But he said to everyone who had, more will be given. For he that has not, then whatever he has will be taken away. The reasoning is because the one who was faithful will remain faithful, and one who was fruitful will remain fruitful. Thus, for a faithful man, more will be given so that the fruits will multiply. This is similar to how much invests in different stocks - where the low performers investments will be taken out and given to the high performing stocks. (v24-26)

Are we the ones he will add to? Or the ones he will take away?

For his enemies, who didn't want him to rule over them, they are to be slaughtered before him.  

3. The Concealed Treasure - Matt 13:44

The parable of the Concealed Treasure conveys the priceless value of the Kingdom of Heaven and the willingness to make significant sacrifices and commitments to obtain it. It emphasizes the joy that comes from recognizing and embracing the unparalleled treasure that is found in a relationship with God and participation in His Kingdom.

Jesus wants us to love the Kingdom of God.

The KoH is like a treasure in the field who the man found, and he hides (buried) it. From his joy he sold all that he has and buys that field. The field is the KoH. (v44)  He took a pragmatics action. What was the price of that land? It is not important when you find something you find joy in. We don't have to sell anything as the kingdom is free. But the kingdom will change us.

KoH is like a merchant seeking fine (good) pearls. He has found many pearls, but after finding one (there is only one kingdom) pearl of great value, he sold everything he had and bought it. The word "great" implies something unnatural. He sold all that he had to buy it. There was no questioning or pondering for him to take the action. (v45-46)

KoH is like a dragnet cast into the sea and gathering fishes of every kind. When its full , they gathered the good to the vessel. The bad they cast it outside (not threw away). So at end of age the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from the righteous. and throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  (v47-50)

The place that Solomon built the temple is a threshing floor, which was used to separate chaff from the grain.

Revelation is important as he helps us to participate with him in the last days.  Gid is the God of extreme - good vs evil. 

4. The Two Sons - Matt 21:28-32

The parable of The Two Sons teaches about the importance of genuine repentance and obedience. It challenges the idea that mere verbal professions of obedience are sufficient and underscores the priority of a transformed heart that leads to true obedience to God's will.

Discernment brings repentance - involves a change. Only then we can bear fruit of repentance. 

In v28, it says "What do you think?" however it should be "Suppose".  A man had two sons (but should be children, which emphasize endearment ).  Technon - "Child, go (away today) and work in the vineyard" . The child answers "I will not", but afterwards he regretted and went. God uses time to change us. Not only regret but he recognize the situation after thinking thoroughly. 

The second child says "I will", but he did not do it. (v28-30)

Jesus asked his audience: "Which one did the will of his father?" The people answered: "The first." (31)

Jesus said that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom before the pharisees. For John came in the way of righteousness (ie he lived righteous life) but they did not believe, but the tax collector and prostitute believed him. And the pharisees did no relent and believe him. 

Jesus said those born of woman is no greater than John. John ask if there is another one as their tradition says there's one from Joseph (in Egypt) and one from David.

John wear camel skin (nobody wore those) and ate dead honey, locust - all are free. He is not interested with the world. The pharisees did not think he belongs to the kingdom but the sinners saw his commitments John had for the kingdom of God.