Parables Of Jesus

Part 5

 

 

The Discipleship Parables.

Accepting the demand for following Jesus daily is to understand what authentic discipleship means, but to live it, is to experience the abundant life He promises.

In the parable of The Great Supper Luke 14:15-27, Jesus showed clearly that the time for decision is now. Delay to accept an invitation was a direct offense to the host, because it was an implication that the host wasn’t good enough, or of a lower caste than the invited guest. This is seen in India to date. A Disciple of Jesus doesn’t delay or reject opportunities to feast on God’s word.  The gospel itself is of the Kingdom/Church or rule of Christ. Matthew 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14.

In the parable of the Unfinished Tower and the King Going to War, Luke 14:28-32, Jesus demanded that His followers be prepared to give up everything.  The cost of discipleship must be calculated and understood.  To pick up our cross daily is a requirement, Luke 9:23. We are called by God to pay the cost and we will not enter the Kingdom without hardships, 1st Peter 2:20-21 & Acts 14:22.  To “hate” our self, obviously doesn’t mean a literal disgust, but we are to mortify the fleshly lusts in our self, and if we see that in any of our kin, hate that too!  Jesus and all that He is, must be loved more.  On the cross, Jesus entrusted his own mother to John, not one of his siblings, why?  Perhaps because of his ‘hate’ or loving less of his physical siblings.

In the parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price, Matt. 13:44-46, Jesus stated that the kingdom of heaven is of such value that all other treasures in life are of secondary importance. These parables are a call to the costly decision of following Him, regardless of that cost.
Treasures were often hidden in remote fields of property during the 1st century, as banks and secure holdings, were scarce. So it was fairly common, that treasures were found.  According to oral tradition of the Pharisees, they observed and enforced a type of law that has often been described as “finders keepers”, but the man in the parable doesn’t claim the treasure for free upon finding it lost in the field.  Because of his indescribable joy, he pays the ultimate price for obtaining the whole field! This parable may represent the majority of Jews who found God’s rule (Kingdom/Church) in Christ. The first Christians were Jews, who were so close to the tree they couldn’t see the woods, until after the resurrection!
The Disciple’s Value of the Kingdom, Priceless! 
The Disciple’s Sacrifice for the Kingdom, Everything!
The Disciple’s Joy in the Kingdom, Supreme!
Pearls were very precious in the 1st century.  Cleopatra had 2 pearls, each of them were valued for over $400,000 a piece! The eastern attitude towards pearls desired them for meditative enjoyment and beauty in apparel.  This parable may represent the majority of Gentiles who found God’s rule (Kingdom/Church) in Christ. Since we live in a Gentile society, we need to remind people of the purpose and priorities they should have in life.  Our life is not aimless, materialistic and temporary.  On the contrary, our life has a goal, it’s spiritual and eternal. The pearl merchant’s goal was to find the best pearl (rule of life). The Disciple’s Priority & Purpose in Life is Seeking The Kingdom. Matthew 6:25-34. The Disciple has the ability to ascertain true value, therefore, wisdom dictates our sacrifices, in order to obtain that precious pearl for ourselves,  Philippians 1:9-11.