In Dr. R. T. Kendall's Complete Guide to the Parables he states there are 5 key reasons why Jesus spoke in parables. I want to highlight the 2nd reason only because it's something I never thought of.
1. To Sow Seed
2. To Safeguard Secrets of God -Matt 13:11, "Why would God keep secrets? For three reasons. First to keep the devil in the dark. For instance, God chose to obscure His plans for His Messiah to prevent the devil from interfering with them. No one ever understood the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus until they were fulfilled. No one could figure out how the prophecy regarding Bethlehem could be right or why the Messiah was supposed to be brought up in Nazerath. The prophecies didn't make sense until after the events happened; then they were obvious. Parables are much like this. We read in 1 Corinthians 2:8 that 'none of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.' Jesus' death to save people was God's best-kept secret. He sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins, but the powers of evil had no idea what was happening until it was too late."
3. To Highlight the Sovereignty of God.
4. To Survey the Teaching of Salvation.
5. To Reveal the Spirit of God.
3 comments:
OK, it's back to the real world for some of you, so lets get started. I left the poll question up for another week, cause possibly 1 person voted since you can pick multiple answers. I think it is an important question. If an answer doesn't fit post it in the comments.
#2 is a really cool reason. Once again God knows all and knows best!! I didn't know you could vote for more than one thing! So maybe two people voted. Vickie
I voted more time last week. That was a long lesson but I made it threw. In all any other Sunday I have plenty of time. Will post later on lesson.
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