Lesson 2

KEY TEXT

“Jesus spoke all these things to

the crowd in parables; he did not

say anything to them without

using a parable.

So was fulfilled what was spoken

through the prophet:

‘I will open my mouth in parables,

I will utter things hidden since

the creation of the world’ ”

Matthew 13:34, 35

1. Metaphor in the Old Testament.2. Metaphors on the cost of

discipleship.3. Metaphors on the types of

discipleship.4. Metaphors on the responsibility of

disciples.5. Metaphor in the New Testament.

Some notions are hard to explain by using common expressions (justification, sanctification…). They can be better explained by using symbols and metaphor, parables and stories from our daily life.

Most of the parables we know were told by Jesus, but some prophets before him also used that didactic resource to teach divine truths.

Nathan used a parable to reveal David’s sin; he also avoided the king’s anger thanks to it (2 Samuel 12:1-7)

Jotham used the parable of the king of the trees to show how contemptuously Israel treated Gideon (Judges 9:7-20)

As we can see, Nathan

tells a parable in order

to disguise the real

purpose of his visit.

David implicates

himself as the

transgressor, thereby

pronouncing his own

sentence. Using a

literary device (a

parable), Nathan

accomplishes

something that

otherwise might have

produced confrontation

and, perhaps, even

execution (his own!).

Isaiah used examples from several farming tasks. He taught that there is a proper moment for every farming task; the divine Farmer will also execute the fair sentence when the time is come (Isaiah 28:23-29)

Jeremiah used the example of a bottle filled with wine and Ezekiel used the example of the dead wine branches. Both tried to preach the consequences of rejecting the redemption God offers(Jeremiah 13:12-14; Ezekiel 15:1-7)

Isaiah’s poetic story draws from the agricultural background familiar to his listeners. Centuries later, Jesus

would employ those same settings. Isaiah’s parable teaches about God’s unlimited mercy during times of

punishment.

Jeremiah’s parable is a terrifying illustration of judgment. Whenever

human beings frustrate God’s redemptive purpose, God eventually

releases them to the consequences that they have chosen. Christ

likewise shares judgment parables with His listeners. Ezekiel uses a

different symbol to convey a similar message.

REFLECTION

What is it about

storytelling that makes it

such a powerful way to

express truth?

What are some of your

favorite stories, and why

do you like them?

THE HOUSE ON THE ROCK AND THE HOUSE ON THE SAND (Matthew 7:24-27)

BUILDING A TOWER OR GETTING READY FOR WAR(Luke 14:27-33)

Which of the builders laid better foundation for his house?

What were the consequences?

Have you judged the cost of discipleship like those

two characters did?

E.G.W. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, cp. 6, pg. 150)

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (Matthew 13:1-23)

THE PARABLE OF THE WHEAT AND THE TARES (Matthew 13:24-30)

Essentially Jesus is challenging His listeners to evaluate their standing as disciples. Rather than confronting each individual specifically, He speaks through parables, inviting disciples to confront themselves. Looking into their soul’s mirror, they can evaluate their materialistic tendencies, review their capacity for perseverance, analyze their worldly entanglements, and choose the lifestyle of uncompromising discipleship.

WHEAT TARES

Jesus taught that not all who say they are disciples are actually so. He also warned about not judging who is wheat and who is tares; God is the only One who can decide that.

THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS(Matthew 21:28-32)

Which of the two sons really answered the call to be a disciple?

THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER(Luke 14:15-24)

Who were called and didn’t come? Who represent those who were called by the streets? Who must we force to come in?

THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD AND THE WICKED VINEDRESSERS (Lucas 20:9-19)

Those who are saved and know Christ and His Word are greatly responsible before the world.

We have received much; so much will be demanded from us.

All inspired writers from Acts to Revelation used metaphor, comparison and visions with symbols. Those representations help us to understand the message of the Gospel. We are called to use that useful didactic resource when preaching.

Vision of the unclean animals

(Acts 10:9-16)

Building a house (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

The human body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

The armor of the Christian (Ephesians 6:10-18)

The rudder of a ship (James 3:4-5)

The visions in Revelation (12, 18, 19)

Let’s do what Jesus did:

“Jesus sought an avenue to every heart. By

using a variety of illustrations, He not only

presented truth in its different phases, but

appealed to the different hearers”

E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 1, pg. 21)

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