Parables Of Jesus

Part 7

 

Parables & Angels

 In finding the central meaning of a parable, we may need to discover the meaning the parable had in the time of Jesus. We need to relate the parable to clear claims of Jesus and his proclamation of the kingdom of God. This means that parables are more than simple folk stories; they are expressions of Jesus' view of God, man, salvation, and the new age which dawned in His ministry. Good examples of this approach are the parables dealing with the four "lost" things in (Luke 15:3-32): the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the two lost sons. The historical context is found in Luke 15:1-2. Jesus had physical fellowship with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees and scribes, the "religious experts" of Jesus' day, saw such action as disgusting because, in their view, it transgressed God's holiness. If Jesus truly were a righteous man, they reasoned, then He would not associate with such people; He would keep Himself pure and separate from sinners, therefore maintaining a holiness and acceptable in God’s presence.
A Lost Sheep. Jesus came to call sick sinners to repentance, not religious fanatics. Luke 5:31-32.  Jesus proclaimed to self-righteous people, that the angels of God, was on His side for reaching out to the people far from God’s Kingdom.  The significance of sheep in the story is to remind the lost people that they are without hope and totally defenseless without the Shepherd finding them. The herd of sheep left behind in the Shepherds rejoicing, showed them, that the lost and found lamb was more precious than all the 99 combined. It is the story of great rejoicing for the repentant, and condemnation for the self-righteous.
A Lost Coin. All 1st century coins had stamped upon them an image of who ruled and helped give them value.  Instead of a lost and wandering silly senseless lamb, we now see a coin with identity and value, treasured by the seeking woman who desires it greatly.  This could be an illusion to God’s people the Jews, as coins of great value to God. The coin comes alive in the next parable which includes the elder son’s lost heart.  He knows his place, identity and value, but decides to display a haughty, selfish attitude far from the Father’s heart. The joy in heaven witnessed and experienced by angels is mentioned twice in this chapter, and here are some scriptural facts about angels which Jesus included in other parables. 

Angels are rejoicing for the repentant, Luke 15:10.

Angels are reaping God’s judgment on the last day, Matthew 13:39, 41, 49.

Angels are ignorant of God’s timing for the judgment day, Matthew 24:36.

Angels which are holy, are used by God in the judgment, but angels who are unholy are condemned to be punished in hell, for which it is prepared and reserved. Matthew 25:41.

Angels are always before the Fathers face for the sake of children, Matthew 18:10.

Angels witness Christ’s confession of each faithful child that confesses Him before people on earth, and vice-versa, angels witness His denial too, Luke 12:8-9.

Angels are active at the physical death of each faithful child of God, Luke 16:22.

Angels observe our service for God, 1st Corinthians 4:9, 1st Timothy 5:21.

Angels are observing our worship, 1st Corinthians 11:10, Hebrews 12:22.

Angels are unworthy of our adoration, Colossians 2:18, Jesus is Higher! Hebrews 1:4.

Angels can go unnoticed by us, so be hospitable to strangers! Hebrews 13:2.

Remember to be the Good Samaritan, and be ready to store up treasures, Mt. 24:37-40.