Parables Collection 2

Parables Collection 2

Collin Leong. Mar 14 2024

1. The Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31

The parable illustrates a stark contrast between the earthly wealth and comfort of the rich man and the poverty and suffering of Lazarus. It emphasizes that wealth and status do not guarantee favor in heaven.

The rich man has no name, as God deliberately do not recognize him. Lazarus means  "God Will Help". "Sores" is an exceedingly painful disease, similar to what Job had. The rich man ignored him as he walked past his gates daily, but the dogs took notice of the man and came and licked the sores. The dogs paid attention to him, while the rich man wouldn't even give him him his crumb.

When they died both of them went to Sheol, a holding place for the dead. Lazarus went to the side of Sheol where Abraham was. The rich man went to Hades (or hell) - the part of Sheol for unfaithful or unbelievers in God. The place where Abraham was called "paradise" by Jesus, when he spoke to the thief on the cross who believe in Him. 

Note that angels brought Lazarus to Abraham's bosom, while the rich man died, angels weren't mentioned - he was just buried. He was tormented in Hades. Abraham was far off…he was separated from him and from God. Lazarus was seen lying in Abraham bosom, ie leaning on his chest. 

The rich man called Abraham "Father", so he knows about the law, but did not practice it. He asked for mercy from Abraham, but he had never asked for mercy from God all his life. He also knows Lazarus and referred to him by name. 

But Abraham used the word "child" but it doesn't mean "son". Abraham did not have any anger to the rich man. The rich man received good things from God, but he did not responding correctly. The poor man had a bad thing happen to him, but the rich man could have made it better. It is also our responsibility to make people who are suffering with encouraging words and comfort. 

Gal 3:16. "comfort" means to restore the intent of God for the person. Capernaum, the HQ of Christ, was called kafar-nahum. Nahum means comfort. No one can go over to the rich man. There is no choice after you die.

He asked Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brother. He has the right thinking, but it is too late. Five represent "lacking". He wouldn't do anything for Lazarus, but now ask Lazarus to go and tell his brothers. 

Abraham told him that if they are not listening to "Moses and prophets" (meaning the scripture), then they will not be convinced if someone rises from the dead. This is Jesus' implication that even when He rose from the dead, many still do not believe that He is the messiah. 

2. Lowest Seat at the Feast- Luke 14:7-14 (NASB95)

This parable is a story of the importance of humility, the promise of exaltation by God, the inclusivity of God's kingdom, and the contrast between heavenly values and worldly standards. It encourages a mindset that prioritizes others over oneself and aligns with the principles of God's kingdom.

This happens in Shabbat (Sabbath). The traditional of these elders are those who teaches people how to live their life. Most of these teachers are pharisees. The leaders of the Pharisee invited guests to eat bread (v1). In front of Jesus was a man suffering from edema (or dropsy). 

Edema is a medical condition characterized by swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body but is most commonly seen in the legs, feet, and ankles. Edema can be caused by various factors, including prolonged standing or sitting, pregnancy, certain medications, and underlying health conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, and venous insufficiency

They invited him in order to watch Jesus intently to entrap Jesus. The lawyers were also there to observe Jesus. They were not interested in shabbat at all. Shabbat is a day of rest, but someone who is sick cannot be at rest. Shabbat should be a day bog restoration and healing.

Jesus knew what they were doing. He asked "Is it lawful on the Sabbath, or not?" (v3),  i.e. what is the purpose of sabbath. No one answered him. 

Jesus took him and held him, and healed him and sent him away. He fulfilled the purpose of Sabbath. 

Suffering is not related to Sabbath. Jesus asked them: "If you have a child or ox that fell into a well on sabbath, won't you immediately pull it out? (v5). They all had nothing to say. 

Sabbath is part of the kingdom and it is very important to Jesus. He saw those who chose to sit in places of honor. They were proud and exalt themselves rather than God.

In v8, he told them a parable - when you are invited for a wedding feast, don't sit in place of honor, for someone who is more distinguished may be invited. Otherwise the host will ask you to give your sit to the person. You will be humiliated and had to take the least important place. Rather, take the least important place, so that when the host comes, he will say to "Friend, please move to a better place." Then you will be honored among the guests. 

In future, when we attend the wedding of Christ, remember to choose the last seat!

Sitting at the lowest place means humility. Even Jesus did not take advantage of his heavenly position but humble himself to the cross, but he was exalted / raised by God to be Lord of Lord. (Philippians 2:6-8.)

"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (v11)

v12 - Jesus said to the man who invited him, to invite the poor, the cripple, etc, you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. Blessed includes being happy (now) and receive a reward in heaven. He is teaching us how to be Kingdom-minded.

The lawyers and pharisees have great knowledge but did not understand the Kingdom of God. We may be very religious but do we understand the Kingdom mindset?

3. The Great Feast - Luke 14:15-24

The Great Feast parable communicates the expansive and inclusive nature of God's invitation to His kingdom, the consequences of rejecting that invitation, and the urgency of responding to God's call to enter into a relationship with Him.

In v15, a man at the table said: "Blessed is the one who eat bread at the feast in the Kingdom of God." He is, in fact, misunderstand the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus went on to explain another parable of the Great Banquet. The Great Banquet symbolizes the Kingdom of God.  "Everything is now ready"  means that salvation has been prepared. But all the people the host invited made excuses not to come.

One said he has bought a field and he must (need) go out and see it. Who buys a land first before he sees it? The land belongs to the world and you can't take it with you. The field is more important than the Kingdom of God. He is asking to be excused, while doing what is wrong.

One had bought 5 yoke of oxen, and wants to examine them. 5 symbolized lacking. He also asked to be excuse.

One had just married a wife. In Hebrew, married means "I have lifted up". This one did even ask for excuse. 

The most important celebration is the marriage banquet, as its a covenant between two people in the presence of God.  

So the host told his servants to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.  His words to "go out" symbolize a redemption purpose. In v23, ESV uses the word "hedges" which refers to poor people homes.

This reflect the banquet of the marriage of the lamb. These people do not want to come, as they are not interested in the kingdoms of God. Jesus said those men who were invited shall not taste his banquet.

Are you interested and are your decisions made according to the KOG? Our focus should be on KOG and his righteousness. Earth issues will be taken cared by God. 

Jesus is saying that if they don't understand Sabbath they won't understand Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is now, but they think that the kingdom of God in in the future.

4.  The Lost Sheep - Luke 15:3-7 (Matt 18:12-14)

This parable conveys the immense value God places on each individual. It illustrates God's relentless pursuit of those who are spiritually lost. The joy in finding the lost sheep reflects the joy in heaven when a sinner repents. 

The tax collectors and sinners drew near to Jesus to hear Him. The Pharisees and scribes grumbled (complaining) that Jesus spent time with sinners and ate with them. They think that the sinners has no relationship with God, so Jesus has no relationship with God as well. They don't think anyone should trust what Jesus say.

The Pharisees follow the traditional laws, and forsook the scriptural laws and live a "righteous" lifestyles. Scribes knew the scriptures and knows how to copy the scriptures. (They purposely wrote small and large words, and some words are backward in order to emphasize to the readers to pay attention to those passages.)

The pharisees was supposed to be the shepherds of Israel. But they are not taking the responsibilities of the shepherd in the parable. When the sheep was lost to the community, it is considered to be in great risk. Jesus saw the "sinners" are in great risk.

Open country is "wilderness" in the original language. Like the jews was in the wilderness for 40 years. The word "finds" may not always be successful, but he pursued it 

He puts the lamb in his shoulder, rejoicing. Jewish laws do not allow a lamb leg will be broken in order to punish him. This story is false.

"Rejoice with me because I have found my sheep that was lost." (v6b) Jesus feels the responsibility for the lost people, but the pharisees don't want to get involved. Jesus took the risk to reach out and find them even if it cost him his reputation among the pharisees.

"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (v7). The only one who is righteous are those who accepts the Lord Jesus as their savior. 

Repentance (epistrephō) usually means "to turn" or turning against our sin. (Acts 3:19). However, repentance (Metanoia) - after coming to knowledge.....so that they can respond to the truth. This is what is used here.

Some say that someone who is dead to the Holy Spirit will not respond to the Word of god. This is not true. Even in the lost state, they can still respond to Gods Word. Only when you are saved by faith, then you can hear the spirit. The spirit can touch the heart but he won't change the heart until he is saved. That's why the pharisees heart cannot be changed since they don't want to believe in Christ.

They have to realise that they are unworthy and lost, then they will be pursued by the Holy spirit. They realise this from the Word  and allow their conscience to be pierced or to be broken.

No one who had agreed with God will not be sorry. We don't want to have regrets when we enter into heaven, so that God need to wipe away our tears.