From chapter 13-16, Mathew emphasizes on the rejection of Jesus. Why did Jesus suddenly preach in parable? Because Jesus wanted to hide the truth from the people who had rejected Him (v.11, 14-15). Jesus was even rejected by His hometown (vv. 53-58).
Parable is one of the most difficult genre to interpret because many people try to dig out hidden meaning from parables. A parable is like a joke: it has (1) points of reference – how would the original audience identify with the parable? and (2) a punch line – what kind of response does the parable want?
The parable of sower (vv. 1-8; 18-23) is about the reception of the message of the kingdom. The points of reference: the seed is the message and the types of soil represents different kinds of response. The punch line is to urge us to be a good soil: not only hear but understand and product fruit. (v. 23) All other details of the parable is just for the purpose of making the story lively.
The parable of weed (vv. 24-30) and the parable of the net (vv. 47-50) is about the selection process of the kingdom. The parable of the mustard seed (vv. 31-32) and the yeast (vv. 33) is about the rapid growth of the kingdom. The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl is about the value of the kingdom.
My sharing: I should be careful of how I hear. If I let my heart become calloused, no matter how often I hear, I won’t benefit from it. Hear and obey is the key for growth.
In the parable of sowing seeds, the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches provide stronger force to choke the word than the persecution of this world. This warns me to be alert especially we live in such a peaceful but materialistic world like USA.
Mike
"That same day" v.1 means the same day the Pharisees accuse Jesus as the prince of demons 12:24. Then Jesus said those do the will of God is His brother and sister and mother 12:50. Who can do the will of God? Everyone of them has that potential. They all hear the Words of Jesus. They responsibility is not on Jesus, the one who preaches the Words, but the one who receive. Only those who receive will pass the selection process and enter the kingdom. Therefore the receiving of the Words are extremely important. In v.15a, people hardening their hearts so they will not hear or see. Then in v.15b, the order is reversed. Because of their presuppositions in their heart they will not see and hear and thus they will not understand in their heart. What is our presupposition in our heart? Everything in the Bible has to make sense to me?
Audrey
Parable is one of the most difficult genre to interpret because many people try to dig out hidden meaning from parables. A parable is like a joke: it has (1) points of reference – how would the original audience identify with the parable? and (2) a punch line – what kind of response does the parable want?
The parable of sower (vv. 1-8; 18-23) is about the reception of the message of the kingdom. The points of reference: the seed is the message and the types of soil represents different kinds of response. The punch line is to urge us to be a good soil: not only hear but understand and product fruit. (v. 23) All other details of the parable is just for the purpose of making the story lively.
The parable of weed (vv. 24-30) and the parable of the net (vv. 47-50) is about the selection process of the kingdom. The parable of the mustard seed (vv. 31-32) and the yeast (vv. 33) is about the rapid growth of the kingdom. The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl is about the value of the kingdom.
My sharing: I should be careful of how I hear. If I let my heart become calloused, no matter how often I hear, I won’t benefit from it. Hear and obey is the key for growth.
In the parable of sowing seeds, the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches provide stronger force to choke the word than the persecution of this world. This warns me to be alert especially we live in such a peaceful but materialistic world like USA.
Mike
"That same day" v.1 means the same day the Pharisees accuse Jesus as the prince of demons 12:24. Then Jesus said those do the will of God is His brother and sister and mother 12:50. Who can do the will of God? Everyone of them has that potential. They all hear the Words of Jesus. They responsibility is not on Jesus, the one who preaches the Words, but the one who receive. Only those who receive will pass the selection process and enter the kingdom. Therefore the receiving of the Words are extremely important. In v.15a, people hardening their hearts so they will not hear or see. Then in v.15b, the order is reversed. Because of their presuppositions in their heart they will not see and hear and thus they will not understand in their heart. What is our presupposition in our heart? Everything in the Bible has to make sense to me?
Audrey
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