Whether we like it or not, all stories have to come to an end. There has to be a conclusion even if it's our heart's desire that the story never ends.
The parables of Jesus, as recorded in the Bible, are timeless stories. Their truths stay in our minds and play over and over in our subconscious. The Holy Spirit brings these ongoing truths to mind to further instruct us not only in daily living but more importantly for the continuing spread of the Gospel and God's Kingdom.
As Christians, we have a duty to participate in the building of His Kingdom.
Before we review and wrap up this series, let's put a couple of things into their proper perspective and context. As you look at all of the parables found in the Gospels, you see that many of them are told in large mixed groups. What I mean by "mixed"is the the fact that there were believers and non-believers present. There were sinners and scribes, prostitutes and priests, the lawless and the Levites. Almost everybody wanted to hear what Jesus had to say.
Tax collectors, publicans, lepers, the "unclean", the poor, the needy; all of these people, all of these individuals, needed a Savior. The religious and the academicians, the lawyers and the "clean"; all of the these people, these individuals needed a Savior as well.
In both sets of people you had (and have today) a mix of self-centered and self-righteous. Sometimes it's easy to tell the difference between the two. Sometimes it's not. The poor, the needy, the irreligious, the "unclean" look at the wealthy, the educated, the religious, the healthy oftentimes with a certain disdain. They despise their haughtiness and uncaring attitude. Those of the "opposite" persuasion, have a similar perception. Each group believes that the other is self-righteous or self-centered. The fact of the matter is that each group is a mix. They are the opposite sides of the same coin. The common attribute is "self".
Neither is better or more "worthy" than the other. In the end, both are needy. All are sinners. Scripture is right again. All of us come short of God's Glory. Romans 3:23.
Thankfully, God has a better plan for His chosen people; we who have heard His Word, have believed it, repented and accepted God's gracious forgiveness of sin. And when we are brought back into the relationship that He desires, we become part of God's 3 part plan demonstrated in the Parables
1. The Kingdom of God has present and future aspects. God has worked from eternity past and will continue into eternity future. The relationship of the 3 persons of the God-head - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - is perfect. God wants His creation to enjoy this relationship from the time of our individual salvation and into eternity.
2. The Kingdom of God is under the reign of Jesus Christ. The Father gave the Son, Jesus Christ, dominion over all creation. All of it. We know the Father because we have seen the Son. And the Son has provided the Holy Spirit as a witness to us and to empower us - as frail creatures - to not only bring Glory to God by and through our worship, but to constantly work within His Kingdom. Jesus is our Lord, our Savior and our God.
3. We believers, we Christians, are to play active daily roles in the expansion of His Kingdom. In other words, we are not to just sit on the fact of our salvation, we are to do something about it. Whether we are the fortunate person who finds a hidden treasure or are a good Samaritan to someone in need. Maybe we are sowing God's Word in this world in our spheres of influence. Perhaps we are a Prodigal who has recognized his sin and returned to the Father - or even a father who welcomes his prodigal - in our life.
The Christian life is not passive. It is not boring. It is active and challenging. And with God going before us, as He leads, we are privileged to share in His ultimate victory over sin and death. Those are the reasons that we live the parables.
The Parables taught by Jesus also instructed us in the 4 Aspects of living them out. We looked at one Aspect in each of the Parables.
First, there was the Aspect of Duty. What is our Duty as a Christ follower? What has God called us, you, to do with our, your, life? We have to recognize that we do have a duty to be active in participating in God's Kingdom work. As in the Parable of the Hidden Treasure, our duty was to recognize that His Kingdom and His Word are treasures. God wants us to not only take possession of this marvelous treasure, but also to "partner" with Him by being His witnesses and "co-workers".
In our Modern Parable, not only did the young real estate agent profit, but so did his family. And when fully realized, that "treasure" of oil, would also prosper anyone who would also come into that enterprise. As we fulfill our duties to God, He then blesses that work. There is a good collateral effect. And God is further glorified. Do we know and understand what our individual duties are in God's Kingdom?
Second is the Aspect of Character. God wants to transform our lives. Yes, we have been saved, but there is also a continuing process of character building and reshaping. Sanctification is the transformation of ourselves into a Christ-like image. 2 Corinthians 3:18. That sanctification is part and parcel of the renewing of our minds that Paul spoke of in Romans 12:1 - 2. As our minds are transformed, so are our whole persons. We are transformed from the inside out.
Character is something that we have to learn. As children we learn to do the right things just because they are "right" or correct. Hopefully that translates into becoming the "good" person with not only the right actions and attitudes, but also the right motives. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, both the ancient and modern person who were willing to provide aid, did it because it was the right thing to do. There was nothing self-centered or self-righteous in their behavior. They did not seek to win accolades for helping a wounded individual. Over the past couple of years, God has called me to check my character. He can't fully use me if my character is flawed. Besides that, a flawed character produces a bad or incorrect reflection of Who God is. How does God want to transform your (my) character for His Kingdom?
Next is the Aspect of Goals. Goals are good. They provide a point of direction for our lives. They give us something to shoot for. But we have to first stop and double check to see if our goals are also God's Goals (and not the other way around). As we do the right thing (Duty) and are transformed (Character), His Goals, not only become intertwined in our lives, but then at some point, overgrow and take over our lives.
I enjoyed watching the Modern Parable of the Sower. I learned a lot about wheat. But I also learned a lot about HOW God spreads and builds His Kingdom. We learned that His Word is the ultimate seed. You could further say that we believers then become "seed" in His Kingdom. Some of us are scattered on the hard path of this world. Others are scattered on rocky soil where some of us have a short burst of growth but then whither under harsh circumstances. Some of us are scattered among thorns and weeds. We grow, but life chokes us out. Some of us are blessed to be scattered into "good" soil where we grow and flourish and produce a great harvest.
Do we know where we are planting ourselves? Do we know and understand where we are spreading God's Word? We sometimes give lip service to the Scriptural idea that God's Word doesn't return void, but, are we being good stewards (a parable that we didn't look at) of where we, as Sowers, are planting seeds?
Finally, there's the Aspect of Truth. That's kind of what life really comes to isn't it? Truth. Plain. Blatant. Honest. True Truth is something that can't be dressed up. A bad analogy would be trying to dress up a pig by putting lipstick on it (I thought of using that as a picture, but chose not to...). And when you boil it all down, the only Truth that matters is God's Truth. As Christians, we have a responsibility to discern God's Truth.
All four parables had something to say about God's Truth. The Truth in the Hidden Treasure is that the Kingdom of God, as well as His Word, truly is something to be treasured. We are to own that treasure and give up whatever it may take to protect it. In the parable of the Good Samaritan the Truth is that other people should matter more than our own needs; and we must be discerning in how to do that. An old friend who mentored and discipled me would often say, "it's other people stupid!" Matt was right. Look what Jesus did. The Truth of seed is that it can grow almost anywhere it is sown. However, if you want a bountiful harvest, you better plant it in good soil and take care of it.
But the greatest Truth, in my opinion, is that God is a loving Father. And almost as important, we are all prodigal sons and daughters. Some of us are self-centered. Others are self-righteous. Most of us are both - at one time or another. In the end, we all have to realize and confess our sin, asking the Father to forgive us and bring us back into the family. All of us are unworthy. Yet, all of us need and want reconciliation and restoration. And that's the Father's job. Our Father is gracious and loving and anxiously awaits our return to His arms.
Thank you for participating in this journey through these Modern Parables. Many thanks go to ModernParables.com for their excellent presentations and materials. It is my prayer that you return to these parables from time to time for the purpose of reminding yourself whose you are and why you have been saved. The days are short. Jesus' return is nigh. We look forward to our homecoming, taking as many along with us as we can.
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to teach us Your ways. May these parables be ever working in our hearts, minds and lives as you continue to build Your Kingdom. Thank you for using us. May only You receive the Glory and Honor. Amen.
To return to the Modern Parables series home page, please click here.
Music Video: Jeremy Riddle - "Sweetly Broken"
