THE PARABLES OF JESUS CHRIST BIBLE STUDY

The Parables of Jesus Christ Bible Study

Copyright © 2015 by Kim Howard

All rights reserved. This Bible Study was written for non-profit use. Any and all material can be used or copied to further God's Kingdom. This material may not be used in any form for profit.

This Bible Study is for my own personal study and I paraphrased many of the scriptures for clarification of my understanding of the English language. My study came from the KJV translation, the only true translation. If you would like a study on different translations please call or email and I will gladly pass them on to you.

An old definition of parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Parables tell a story using something we see every day to help us understand a spiritual truth that we can’t see with our eyes. When Jesus taught in parables, He used things that the people of His day were familiar with. If Jesus were here teaching with parables today, they would be different because our culture is different.

It is interesting to note that of all the parables were delivered after the Jewish leaders of the day registered their rejection of Christ as the Messiah (Matthew 12). Jesus interpreted only two parables—the parable of the sower and the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13).  It is proposed that He explained these two parables to set a pattern of interpretation for all His parables.  The fact that He did not interpret His parables that came after these indicates that He fully expected His disciples to understand what He taught.

Approximately one-third of the teachings personally delivered by Jesus Christ as noted in the Gospels were in the form of parables.  In the following passage He gave His reasons for using the parabolic form in teaching truth:

And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.  For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Matthew 13:10-17)

Jesus Christ used parables to illustrate truth for the following reasons:

  

·      Because parables were targeted toward the understanding of Christ’s disciples and not for all who heard His teachings.  He used the parabolic form to reveal truth to some, and to hide it from others.  A mixed audience attended His teachings; some were believers and others were unbelievers.  Some had placed their faith in His person (deity), His purpose (grace-gift of salvation), and His office (Messiah); while others rejected these critical aspects of His incarnation and life.  To those who welcomed Him, they would have more; but to those who rejected Him, they would have less (Matthew 13:10-17).

·      Because His parabolic teachings were the fulfillment of prophecy (vs. 14) found in Isaiah 6:9, which foretold that many would hear but not understand.  But now it was time for His disciples to understand His teachings and to be “blessed” (happy) in their understanding. Also see Psalm 78:2 and Ephesians 3:9.

·      Because parables are based on a known reality. Parables are unlike fictional stories.  While a fictional story is constructed without a basis in reality, a parable is based on a known realm (reality). The truth to be learned was gained from transferring reality (the known) to the unknown.  It becomes the hearer’s responsibility to properly understand what truth is being transferred from the reality of the parable that is told.  When Christ used a parable, He expected the believer to understand the parable by making the necessary transference from reality to the truth that He was seeking to transfer.

The parables in this study are put together in chronological order to try and paint in the mind’s eye a clearer picture of the stories. 

The questions posed at the end of each parable are to help inspire the reader to think of the transference Jesus may have been trying to convey.  Some answers are mine, and some have been taken from the views of other commentators, but I encourage each reader to search out their own answers for themselves. 

My prayer is that readers will see the Kingdom of God and find that narrow path that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14). Hope to see you there!

With prayers and love,

Kim Howard
kimlovesjesus@icloud.com 

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE...

To my Lord Jesus Christ, who is my Saviour, my Redeemer, and my King! He has gone to prepare a place for me so that where He is I will be also! I thank Him for his Word and pray for His wisdom and knowledge. I pray that as He guides my way down that narrow path I will be wise enough to follow. Words cannot describe how much I love my Lord!

And to my pastor and his wife, Brother Johnny and Anita Barnhill. God led me to these two after much searching, there are not many of these true servants of God left in our day and hour. They have been a tremendous blessing to me! I thank them for the love they have shown me, the prayers they have prayed for me, and the tears they have cried with me. Brother Barnhill, thank you for not being afraid to preach the truth and sticking to that straight and narrow path! Sister Barnhill, thank you for your love and patience towards me, if anyone truly has the fruit of the Spirit, it is you! I love you both very much!

Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which leadeth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Isaiah 48:17

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may also be also.

John 14:2-3

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Many people have heard the term “kingdom of heaven,” but few really understand what it is. While some believe that the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven” are referring to different things, it is clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing. Jesus when teaching about the kingdom made no distinction between the two terms but seemed to consider them synonymous. Throughout the entire Bible, the kingdom of God was the central message! John the Baptist preached it, Jesus preached it, and the apostles preached it. The coming kingdom of heaven is the message that God wants to make known to every person on earth. The crucial question is: Will you be a part of it?

A lot of people think of the “kingdom of heaven” as heaven. And in a sense it is, but in reality it is much, much more than that. The “kingdom of heaven” begins here on earth. It began the day the “King of kings” was born, Jesus Christ. We will not reach that kingdom in heaven until we “see” the kingdom of God here on earth. Jesus stated, “Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Jesus came preaching, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Jesus taught while he was here about the kingdom of God – and He spoke about it a lot. He talked about the way His followers could bring heaven to earth. He even taught the disciples to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Heaven is not spatially determined, it is not “up there” while we are “down here,” nor is it to be thought of in terms of time. We think of earth as now, that is, this life. Heaven then, is later – heaven is what comes after death. The more we study Jesus’ ministry the more we realize that he proclaimed the reign of God as something that was “already and not yet” present. Throughout the gospels Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God, sometimes as coming in the future, and sometimes as a present reality. So which is it? How can we understand the apparently divergent themes in Jesus’ preaching of the reign of God? Could it be that Jesus simply contradicted Himself? Did he speak of the kingdom as present and future without realizing it? I doubt it. It’s likely that Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God as somehow both future and present, and that He knew what He was doing.

Jesus taught while he was physically here that the kingdom of heaven is a silent, invisible, spiritual kingdom which lies all about us, encompassing us, enclosing us, embracing us, waiting for us to recognize it. When we enter the kingdom of heaven we recognize that kingdom, we believe it, we act upon its reality. Jesus, in the Beatitudes, gave us the clue to entering. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,“ (Matthew 5:3). Heaven is not merely future, heaven is also present. Heaven is equally real as earth.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, “Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). When we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus Name, and experience new birth through the Holy Ghost, we enter into the kingdom of heaven. We voluntarily place ourselves under the laws and authority of the coming kingdom of God. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). So there is this sense of us being “translated” into the kingdom when we commit our lives to God and begin living as He instructs. Our primary allegiance is transferred from the kingdoms of this world to God’s Kingdom. We are then subject to different laws (God’s laws) and belong to a different community (the Church of God). 

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant…” Hebrews 12:22-24

Jesus taught many parables that he likened to the kingdom of heaven. We need to make sure that our description of the kingdom is compatible with the description Jesus gave. Jesus often preached about the kingdom of God—but what did He say? 

Through the parables He taught about the grace of God, and also namely the severity of God. This then led us on to see the importance of obedience to God. Some people do not understand the importance of obedience, because they do not understand the severity of God. There is something else many fail to appreciate, and that’s the enormous value of the kingdom of God. People in every nation may possess these true riches if they enter into God’s kingdom. The parables that Jesus told reflect the great value of belonging to the world-wide kingdom of God. NOTHING is worth having, that would rob us of that place.

Jesus told two short parables about the value of the kingdom, one about hidden treasure (Mat. 13:44), and the pearl of great price (Mat. 13:45-46). The similarities of these parables make it clear they teach the same lesson—the kingdom of heaven is of inestimable value. Both parables involve a man who sold all he had to possess the kingdom. The treasure and the pearl represent Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. And while we cannot pay for salvation by selling all our worldly goods, once we have found that prize, we are willing to give up everything to possess it. 

The most important thing we need to know about the kingdom of heaven is how we get there in the first place—and when Jesus described the kingdom, that is what he talked about. (Consider the parables in Matthew 25) Through the teachings of Jesus we can know how to enter this kingdom, how to live in this kingdom, and how to work in this kingdom, here now on earth! When we die and enter into heaven eternally it will not be unfamiliar. We will already be familiar with the kingdom of God because we entered it here on earth. You won’t be afraid of God because you came to know him, here on earth.

The “kingdom of heaven” is not just the kingdom that exists in heaven, but also the reign of God over both heaven and earth.

PARABLES 1 - 4 - New Cloth, New Wine, Lamp, Wise and Foolish Builders

PARABLE 1 - NEW CLOTH PATCH ON AN OLD COAT

Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is make worse.

PARABLE 2 – NEW WINE IN OLD WINESKINS

Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

PARABLE 3 – LAMP ON A STAND

Matthew 5:14-15 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

PARABLE 4 – WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS

Luke 6:46-49 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded on a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Discussion Questions – Parables 1 - 4

PARABLES 1 & 2 — MATTHEW 9:16-17  

1. These are the first of Jesus’ parables. They are among the few that are in all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Jesus told them around the same time as the Sermon on the Mount and the calling of his first apostles. What is the point he is making with a story about an old coat and an old wineskin? 

The metaphors were drawn from the existing culture in the time of Jesus. Wineskins would stretch with new wine being put in as it continued to ferment, and then they would harden. If new wine was put into a hardened wineskin, the continued fermentation risked bursting the skin. Similarly, new cloth would be expected to shrink considerably, so using it to patch already-shrunken cloth would be asking for problems. The point, of course, is that Jesus has a new message, “The Gospel,” and if you try to fit it into the old Jewish religion, law, system of animal sacrifices, and so on, it isn’t going to fit. 

2. The people in Jesus’ audience were some disciples of John the Baptist (and perhaps some Pharisees). The parable had a special meaning for them. What was it? And what is the message for us today? 

These two parables illustrate the fact that you can’t mix old religious customs with new faith in Jesus. Jesus fulfilled the law; therefore, there is no longer any need to continue with the old customs. Jesus cannot be added to a works-based religion. In the case of the Pharisees, they were consumed with their own self-righteousness, and faith in Jesus cannot be combined with self-righteous practices.

As for us today when we come to Jesus we must completely replace the old human way of life with the new godly way of life. Because God's "new" way is righteous and spiritually strong, it cannot be combined with the "old" wicked and weak human way of life. They are incompatible. His new way must completely replace our old worldly ways so that we walk in newness of life.

3. In what ways does following Christ require us to replace old habits with new ones? Why do we resist making these changes? 

None of us likes to give up something familiar or comfortable. This is even truer when this “something” has been the controlling point for our view of reality, morality, and religion. So we have a tendency to plug in a new good experience or teaching into our old religious context and make it fit. Jesus’ point here is that what he brings cannot be made to fit in the old order and old forms of religion with which the Jews were familiar. To do that would be destructive to both the old and the new. What Jesus brings is new, fresh, and transformational. It will rip apart anything that tries to force it into another way of doing, perceiving and experiencing. Becoming a Christ follower—a Christian—is a whole new life, not just another religion to be thrown into the world mix of faiths. This is as true today as it was 2,000 years ago. 

PARABLE 3 — MATTHEW 5:14-15 — LAMP ON A STAND 

1. Jesus often refers to himself (or is referred to) as the “Light of the world” (John 8:12, 9:5, 1:9, 3:19, 12:35). What does He mean, then, by saying to mere men in this verse, “you are the light of the world”?

One must interpret this as meaning that Jesus’ disciples, including us today, shine with His light by virtue of His Spirit dwelling in them (and us). We must never forget where the light comes from. It doesn’t come from you. You are not the source. You are not the generator. It's the Holy Ghost inside you that generates that light. When you receive God's Spirit you literally shine with God's love. And that light that shines within you can be seen bby a dark word. So let your light shine!

2. Jesus uses two illustrations in this short parable (city on a hill and light in a house). How might these apply to us? (Matthew 5:16) 

Many Judean cities were founded on the summits or sides of mountains, and travelers could see them from far away. Perhaps Jesus pointed to such a city, telling His disciples that they were like it. The city built on an important location can be seen by many eyes over a wide area, representing a disciple’s far-ranging and widespread exposure to others. 

Jesus’ illustration of a shining lamp illuminating the home suggests a disciple’s more intimate influence. A Christian’s actions cannot be hidden from the eyes of either our families or the world at large. This being the case, one should live a righteous, holy, humble, and pure life, letting “your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) 

PARABLE 4 — LUKE 6:47-49 — WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDERS 

1. This parable is the end of the Sermon on the Mount. What is Jesus’ final message which he illustrates with the parable of building a house (Luke 6:46-47)? 

Here’s the Lord speaking to the most religious people possible, the people in the right religion, Judaism. Jesus says, “The problem is you call me Lord but you don’t do what I say.” That’s the problem. I’m not looking for your curiosity, I’m not looking for your fascination. I’m not looking for your admiration. I’m telling you what it is to be a true follower. But He says it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t do what I say. 

2. Jesus says we are to do what he says. What did he just finish saying that we should do? 

He doesn’t say, “listen to what I say” or “agree with what I say.” He says, “do what I say.” What Jesus is saying is, you have to recognize your sin, see that you are prisoners, blind and oppressed, that you are the poor, that you are the hungry, that you are starving spiritually, that you are sad over yourselves and others who are alienated from God. Jesus says, “I’m telling you, you’ve got to look at yourself and see yourself as a sinner, then you’ve got to look at me and see me as your Lord and cry out to God for mercy.” 

3. How does the parable illustrate what Jesus says we should do?

Jesus gives us a memorable illustration here. “The one who comes to Me hears My words and acts upon them,” that’s obedience. But then he goes on and says, “I’ll show you who he’s like. He’s like a man building a house who dug deep,” meaning that you should really get down to the realities of your own life—and also dig down deep into the truth of God, “and lay a foundation upon the Rock.” 

4. What is the rock or the foundation upon which you should build your house? (1 Corinthians 3:11) 

Rock is an Old Testament term for God, isn’t it? And foundation is a New Testament term for Christ used a number of times, e.g., 1 Corinthians 3:11. 

So what you have here is the message of Christ which is about God as the rock, about Christ as the foundation, and the gospel. So whoever builds his life on the gospel, on the great cornerstone of the gospel from Matthew 16, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.” That’s the rock bed, cornerstone foundation. When you go down and you build your life on God in Christ and the gospel, storms of judgment can never move your house. That’s somebody who just doesn’t admire Jesus, but who embraces Him as Lord and Savior. 

5. What is the main message in this parable? How can you apply it to your life today? 

Discuss this question among yourselves, but remember, the key thing here is not to admire Christ, it’s to obey Christ. What was “the gospel message” Jesus brought? 

That Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sin so that through faith in Him we might become the children of God.

That He has broken the enslaving power of sin, and set the captives free to live in everlasting fellowship with our Creator! 

That even though a day of Judgment is coming, we can be totally free of fear on that day! 

That the kingdom of God is accessible through faith in Him, not as a result of our own merit! 

That we no longer have to be at enmity with God, we are free to approach Him! 

Good News indeed!

PARABLE 5 - The Money Lender

PARABLE 5 — LUKE 7:41-43 — THE MONEYLENDER 

 (The parable is only 3 verses; the 10 verses before and after put it in context.) 

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

 Discussion Questions – Parable 5

PARABLE 5 — LUKE 7:41-43 — THE MONEYLENDER 

1. What options did the moneylender have with people who owed him money? 

The moneylender could demand payment, possibly in a form other than money such as livestock or valuable objects. He could have the debtor put in prison until the debt was paid by his family or friends. Or he could actually make the debtor his slave. Or, of course, he could forgive the debt, which was actually required in Old Testament law: at the end of every seven years, creditors were to cancel all the debts they were owed by fellow Israelites. 

The Bible contains hundreds of verses on how God wants us to treat money, and this includes the lending of it. Moses addressed this issue in Deuteronomy several times. Essentially, the Israelites were not permitted to charge interest when they loaned money to an impoverished brother. Apparently, however, they could charge interest on loans made to other, more affluent Jews and to foreigners. This rule was part of the Mosaic Law: “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.” (Exodus 22:25) 

Depending upon the amount owed, a moneylender might have quite different responses, which is, of course, also true today. The loan of 500 pence was a huge amount, equivalent to about two years wages for a day laborer. In first century Galilee, poor people were often heavily indebted to the wealthy. 

2. Why do you think the woman came to the Pharisee’s house? 

(a) to upset the Pharisee, 

(b) to ruin the party, 

(c) to seek forgiveness, 

(d) to minister to Jesus,
(e) to confront her oppressors, 

(f) something else. 

This question could be difficult to answer, except the short parable in the middle of the story makes it much easier. We can obviously rule out answers a, b, and e but then we have to decide whether she was (c) seeking forgiveness, (d) ministering to Jesus, perhaps in thanks for the forgiveness that she perceives she has already received, of (f) something else. Another hint: forgiveness from God and Jesus is free—you can’t buy it. So now, what’s the answer? (d)

3. Jesus’ parable about the moneylender seems an odd response to the Pharisee who was thinking that it was strange that Jesus allowed a sinful woman to touch him. What was Jesus actually saying to Simon? 

(a) you can’t know grace because you don’t think of yourself as a sinner, 

(b) you are a bigger sinner than the woman but you don’t know it, 

(c) you may have sinned less than the woman, but you still need forgiveness, 

(d) the more you’ve sinned, the more your love for God, 

(e) the more you’ve been forgiven, the more your love for God. 

Stuck into the middle of a story about a dinner and sinful woman, the parable itself is almost trivial: forgiving a large debt means more than forgiving a small one. That’s true today too: if someone forgives you a debt of $1,000, you’re going to feel more loving toward him than a person who forgives you a debt of $100. But let’s go beyond that and see how Jesus extends it. 

Look at what Jesus says in Verses 44 to 46. He points out that Simon did not provide water (or a servant) to wash Jesus’ feet. He probably didn’t provide it to the other guests either. It was a common courtesy in those days on dusty roads. You’d then normally greet a guest with a kiss on both cheeks, something still common in much of the Middle East. It was definitely rude for Simon to ignore that custom. Anointing a person’s head with olive oil was a way to honor a respected guest. Although Simon invited Jesus to dinner (vs 36), he may not have regarded him as the guest of honor. All in all, Simon was definitely rude but not guilty of any major sin. More to the point, in Verse 39 it seems clear that Simon was judging the woman as being a sinner and, in a sense, putting himself above it. 

Concluding his remarks in Verse 47, Jesus put the message of the parable in perspective when he says to Simon, “Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” For his rudeness, Simon was in the position of having been forgiven little, but the message that he also loved little must have been sobering to him. In the context of the narrative, the woman’s lavish actions are the result of her great debt that has been forgiven; in contrast, Simon’s stingy actions stem from his failure to realize that he needs to be forgiven. 

[In Verse 47, the first sentence ends by saying “...for she loved much,” it was not that her great love for Jesus caused him to forgive her but that the forgiveness that she had already received from Jesus prompted her love.] 

To Luke’s original readers, the parable and the narrative clearly interpreted each other. It would have been very easy for them to identify the sinful woman of the story as the debtor forgiven much in the parable. They would also compare Simon the Pharisee with the debtor forgiven little. 

The next step for the original reader would be to see the incredible graciousness, mercy, and forgiveness of God, like the creditor who forgave both debtors. Thus, the theme of the parable is one of God’s forgiveness and grace. 

To apply this parable to our lives, we also must see the incredible forgiveness of God. For some, seeing God’s mercy is easy because their past is like that of the sinful woman or the debtor with the large debt. They know their past made them unworthy to be in relationship with God; and yet out of His great love, they have been welcomed into His presence. Out of incredible gratitude and love, they respond lavishly, honoring Jesus in every imaginable way. 

However, some of us have “grown up in the church.” We paid attention in class. We weren’t the bullies in school. We are much more like Simon the Pharisee, who was compared to the debtor with the smaller debt. Like Simon, we too have difficulty seeing that we need forgiveness. Also, like Simon, we perhaps fail to honor Jesus. He is simply not the number 1 “guest of honor” in our lives.

We struggle to realize that our “little debt” is still beyond our ability to pay, which puts us on equal ground with those that have “big debts.” We stand in need of a Savior, who is willing to forgive, if only we will accept His grace. Then, we can respond to Jesus in love, out of gratitude for what He has done in our lives. 

4. Have you ever felt like Simon when confronted with a person of questionable morals?

5. Who do you identify with in the parable (moneylender, small debtor, large debtor)? 

6. Parables make you peel off layers of meaning, but usually have a basic lesson. What is the fundamental lesson of this parable? 

As mentioned above, the basic theme of the parable is one of God’s forgiveness and grace and the love for God that should come as a result of this forgiveness. 

PARABLE 6 - The Lamp on a Stand

PARABLE 6 — LUKE 8:16-18 — THE LAMP ON A STAND 

16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing done in secret, that will not be revealed, neither anything hid that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen, for whoever has will be given more, and whoever does not have, even what they seem to think they have will be taken from them. (paraphrased by me)

  

Discussion Questions – Parable 6

PARABLE 6 — LUKE 8:16-18 — THE LAMP ON A STAND 

1. In Jesus’ story about the lamp, what does the lamp represent?

Visualize the setting: in dark houses in Galilee, a small clay lamp burned olive oil drawn up by a wick. It was set either in a high wall alcove or on a small high stand. From dusk on, it was the only source of light for the house. Jesus elaborated on this a little by saying that anyone who came into the house would see the light. Notice he did not say that people would see the lamp, but they would see the light. If the wick was not lit, the lamp would look like a non-descript small flat pitcher. Nobody would notice it. 

2. Each of the three verses of this parable adds to the meaning of the whole. What do each of the lines mean? NO short answers! Elaborate! 

Verse 8:16 – “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” 

All of us have lamps at home and where we work. We have table lamps, floor lamps, reading lamps, decorative lamps, flood lamps, spot lamps, ceiling lamps, and even closet lamps. But, I doubt if anyone has an “under the bed lamp.” No one turns on a lamp and then hides it under the bed—and this was especially the case in Jesus’ time when all lamps burned with flames.

Lamps are for light. That is what lamps do.

Here, Jesus is talking about his followers—his disciples back then, all Christians now. He is telling us to brightly shine. Let everyone see the light of Jesus Christ through us. Our Christian faith is not some private, secret, hidden thing. It is designed to be open, public, and brilliant. 

Sometimes we misunderstand how this works. We think that shining brightly for Jesus requires special training in evangelism, theological education, an outgoing personality and exceptional spiritual courage. This is not so.

Lamps don’t need classes or a formal education to light up. They don’t need fancy engineering to do the job. Just hold a match to the wick and light it and it gives off light. The only way to stop a lamp from giving light is to intentionally shut it off or put it in a jar or under a bed. These are not natural or normal things to do. If you don’t stop a lamp from burning, it will always give off light. 

Christians shine like Jesus. We can’t help it. The only way for a Christian to not love like Jesus, talk about Jesus, and be like Jesus is to make a special effort to turn off. We have to hide our faith on purpose. 

All a Christian needs to do is let the light of Jesus shine. Let other people see the changes. Let others know how much you trust God. Tell them about the new perspective. They might see that you give away money you would have kept in the past. You are kind when you might have been cruel. You tell the truth when you could have lied. You have a new set of sexual ethics and behavior. You pray and read the Bible. You have a joy that glows even through your darkest days. 

What you are doing is “putting your lamp on a stand so that those who come in can see the light.” Verse 8:17 – “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” 

This sounds a little like a warning or even a threat, but it is not. Jesus is simply stating a fact. There are few secrets. Sooner or later the secrets we thought we could keep are brought out in the open for others to see and know. Most of them are exposed in this life. But if there are any left over, God will expose them for everyone to see at the judgment to come. 

This is not to say that there should be no privacy. That is not what Jesus is saying. There is a place for privacy and we should all be careful to respect the privacy of others. What Jesus is saying is that Christians should live lives as if we are open books. We should think as if our thoughts can be read. We should speak as if everyone can hear what we say. We should act as if our whole lives were televised to the whole world. Assume full disclosure. 

What might this practically mean? 

· Use your computer the way Jesus would use your computer. No Christian should ever need to worry about another person booting up your computer and clicking your favorite or last 10 Internet web pages visited. 

· There should be no need for secrecy about relationships. Our business dealings, our sexual contacts, our private conversations about other people, and every other relationship could be audited without regrets. 

· No significant discrepancy should appear between who we present ourselves to be and who we actually are. There should be no problem for you to see how I behave in my home or with my friends compared to the way I behave in a church service or in my office. 

· There should be no shame in what type of books or magazines I am reading, or what type of movies or shows I am watching. Good question to ask yourself is: Would I be ashamed to read this or watch this with Jesus? If the answer is yes, then maybe you shouldn’t be doing it.

These are powerful and pointed teachings in Verses 16-17 from Jesus, but they sure raise a lot of serious questions in our minds. What if our lives are nothing like what has been described? What if we have more secrets than the phone book has names? What if we think the best thing we can do for the reputation of Jesus is hide under a bed so that no one will ever think a Christian could do the things we have done? What if our lamps are flickering at best? 

Good questions! And here is Jesus’ no-nonsense answer in the next verse.

Verse 8:18 – “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” This verse is not talking about money or possessions. Jesus is talking about the powerful word of God in our lives. 

God gives every Christian his word. It is like seeds planted in our souls. If we use what God gives us, he gives us more. If we don’t use what God gives us, he doesn’t give us any more. 

The principle is simple: use it or lose it! 

· What happens to our muscles if we exercise? We grow stronger and stronger. What happens to our muscles if we don’t exercise? We grow weaker and weaker. 

· What happens to our minds if we keep learning? We get smarter and smarter. If we don’t keep learning, we become dumber and dumber. 

· What happens if we build relationships? We have more and more friends. If we neglect relationships? We have fewer and fewer friends. 

· What happens if we live by faith? We get more faith. What happens if we don’t live by faith? Our faith shrinks. 

· What happens if we live by God’s word? Our lamps brightly shine, our lives can be open books, and we become more and more like Jesus. If we don’t live by God’s word our lamps are hidden, our lives are secret, and we are less and less like Jesus. 

The issue is not how much God has given us so far, it is what we do with what God has given! My question to you is really the question I have for myself—what are you doing with what God has given to you? The question is not so much “What do you have?” The real question is, “what are you doing with it?” 

Interestingly Jesus doesn’t state this as a promise but as an obvious fact that everyone should know: “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” 

3. What sorts of things would God have you bring “out into the open?” (Vs 17)

4. Have you ever tried to hide your Christian identity or beliefs from other people? 

5. Do you have to announce that you are a Christian or do others see that right away?

See blog – Are You a Child of the Light?