Two questions should be asked/answered to grasp what is unfolding in the final months of Jesus’ earthly ministry:
What is a Parable?
What is the Mystery of the Kingdom?
I. WHAT IS A PARABLE?
Matthew 13:1-3a That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat at the seashore. And large crowds gathered around Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, while the whole crowd stood on the shore. And He taught many things to them in parables.
A. SETTING
1. SHIFT IN PLACE
Left House in Capernaum
At the Sea
2. SHIFT IN EMPHASIS
Second great section of Matthew devoted to a sermon
Reduced number of miracles, healing
Could not just instruct disciples (crowds too large) so Jesus needed to employ a method of teaching truth to His followers while not raising more opposition
B. EXPLANATION
1. JESUS’ USE OF PARABLES
para =along side (like a para-professional in a doctor or lawyer’s office)
ballo = throw, place (we get ballistic missiles from the same root).
The Greek paraballh is wider than our ‘parable’; in the lxx it translates masal, which includes proverbs, riddles and wise sayings as well as parables.
The objective would illustrate the subjective teaching
2. ADVANTAGE OF PARABLES
In His earlier teaching Jesus used metaphors and analogies to make abstract truth more concrete – salt, light, birds, and flowers
Parables generally teach one main point or principle
An allegory has to be read and studied; a parable is heard
It had a double advantage upon their hearers – On their memory (we remember stories); on their minds (have to think/study to understand it)
II. WHAT IS THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM?
A. UNDERSTANDING A MYSTERY
1. BIBLICAL MYSTERIES
Previously-hidden truth
Supernatural element remains
2. EXAMPLE OF BIBLICAL MYSTERIES
Mystery of the Kingdom,
Mystery of Israel’s blindness in this age
Mystery of rapture/change in body of saints
Mystery of the Church comprised of Jews AND Gentiles
Mystery of the Church as the Bride of Christ
Mystery of Christ as God incarnate
Mystery of Christ living in us
Mystery of Man restored to godlikeness by grace
Mystery of Iniquity
Mystery of Babylon in prophecy
B. REVEALING THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM
Matthew 13:10-13 Then the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” And He answered them, “Because to you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be removed. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear or even understand.
1. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Literally “the heavenly realm”
Rule of heaven over earth
2. HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM
Started at Creation
Kingdom today
3. CONTRASTS
See, hear, understand, perceive, believe, converted
or
Blind, deaf, not perceptive, fat/dull, unbelief
C. FULFILLING PROPHECY OF THE KINGDOM
Matthew 13:14-15 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that said: “‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown fat, and with their ears they can barely hear, and they closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn to Me – then I would heal them.’
1. PARALLEL TO ISRAEL OF OLD
Quotation: Isaiah 6:9-10
2. JUDGMENT OF GOD
3. CONDITION
4. RESULT
D. BLESSING FOR US TODAY
Matthew 13:16-17 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you are seeing, yet did not see it, and to hear what you hear, yet did not hear it.
1. BLESSED PEOPLE OF GOD
2. WATCHING GOD’S PLAN UNFOLD
Duty to understand, see the plan of God for the ages (no plan “B”). Proclaim the kingdom (universal, invisible submission of the soul to God) now and pray for the kingdom (literal, physical rule of Christ over all) to come.
A mystery, but with eyes that can see, ears that can hear, and minds that can understand we can glorify God and proclaim His truth so that all men everywhere would repent and believe the Gospel.