What are parables?
The Importance of Doing
The word parable actually comes from two Greek words.
Para means beside.
Ballein means I throw, or I place.
Thus, we have to throw or place beside.
In parables, Jesus, and other inspired men, laid stories that
would be familiar to their listeners along side spiritual truths.
The people who were receptive to God's teaching could then
learn something of God's will.
When it comes to man understanding God's plan for a spiritual
kingdom, parables are specially suited to man's need.
Over the course of several lessons, it will be our purpose to
learn about Christ's kingdom by studying his parables.
"Lord, Lord" Is Not Enough
Jesus knew there would be those who would call upon his name yet
refuse to yield to his authority by obeying the Father's will.
He looked forward to the judgment day and said there would be
those who would claim to have taught and done great works in his
name who would still have to hear the Lord say, "I never knew you;
depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"
(Matthew 7:21-23).
There have been those who worked for God but totally rejected his
will at some time in their lives.
For instance, Aaron served as Moses' mouthpiece before the
people and Pharaoh.
Yet, that first high priest was also guilty of taking the people's
gold and molding it into a calf for the children of Israel to
sinfully worship.
Balaam knew he could not curse God's people, but taught Balak how to
bring God's wrath upon them by tempting them to sin.
Judas walked with the Lord, but was able to sell him for
thirty pieces of silver.
Hymenaeus and Alexander rejected the faith and a good
conscience, thereby suffering shipwreck, and Demas forsook Paul.
The Parable of the Builders
Jesus told those assembled on the mount that he was going to tell them what a man who heard his words and did what he said would be like. Then, he told of a man who dug down until he found rock upon which to place the foundation of his house. Boles tells us, "The hills of Palestine were subject to heavy rainstorms at certain seasons of the year, and consequently to floods; water rushing down the ravines would soon undermine the foundation, if the house was not built on a rock." Of course, if it was built on a rock, it was safe, just as surely as the man who hears and obeys the will of God is safe.
In contrast, the Lord said the man who heard his word but refused to do
the Father's will would be like a man who thoughtlessly built his house
on the sand. In Palestine,
there are numerous gullies which have been formed in the ravines by the
rushing waters of the rainy season.
During the dry season, they are flat and very inviting to one in
a hurry to build.
Unfortunately, when the rains return, a house built on the sand is soon
undermined and swept away in the floods (Matthew 7:24-27).
Lessons from the Parable
The greatest lesson of this parable is the importance of hearing and
doing. When Jesus taught
his disciples the lesson on humble service, he said, "If you know these
things, happy are you if you do them" (John 13:17).
Our Lord also said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
Later, he added, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command
you" (John 14:15; 15:14).
In Luke 8:19-21, when they told Jesus his mother and brethren were
waiting to see him outside, he responded by saying, "My mother and My
brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."
However, Lightfoot also used the parable to gain insight into our
failure to respond to the things we hear.
There are those who do not act because they delay their action.
After some time has past, the urgency of responding also passes.
Perhaps that is why Paul said, "See then that you walk
circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the
days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Others, like the man in a hurry to find a flat place to build his
house, do not want to be required to do too much to follow Christ.
Still others, like the foolish builder in the dry season, do not
look ahead to the possible rains and floods in the future.
Like Felix, they choose to wait for a "convenient time" (Acts
24:25).
Lightfoot also noted that times of testing are sure to come.
In the parable, it was the rains, winds and floods.
In our lives, it can be any number of tragedies, such as losing a
job, illness, an erring child, divorce or death.
It is important to build our lives on the solid foundation of
Christ and obedience to his will so that we can withstand the tests!
Discussion Questions on Parables:
1. What does the word
"parable" mean? How did
inspired men use such stories?
2. Why is it not enough to
call on Jesus as Lord? Give
examples to illustrate your point.
3. Briefly tell about the parable and describe the people the two builders represent.
4. What was the lesson
Jesus was trying to teach?
5. What actions could you take to avoid being a foolish builder?