Two thousand years ago, a Jewish man from Nazareth swept through the region of Galilee. In only a few years, he gained incredible influence and became one of the more polarizing figures of his day. 

From our perspective, a short buildup for a singular moment.

In an instant, Jesus changed the world. At the cross, everything was flipped. Humanity would never be the same again. The kingdom of God was officially in motion.

But what about the buildup?

During his time on earth, Jesus performed many miracles. He healed the sick, the lame, the blind. He multiplied the loaves and fishes and left the masses awestruck. He gathered disciples and deployed them to carry out his supernatural works. He preached from the Old Testament Scriptures, bringing new clarity to a treasured set of ancient texts. 

In all of this, he claimed to be the Messiah. Even more, he claimed to be God himself.

Jesus, the Master Teacher

Christians are confident this Jesus is the Christ—the true Prophet, Priest, and King. All his claims were proven at the cross and by the empty tomb. Yet even outside of the church, Jesus is regarded as one of the greatest teachers the world has ever seen. 

Sometimes, Jesus is grouped with Socrates, Confucius, Buddha, or more modern voices like Gandhi and Maya Angelou. To the world, he’s another source for the next great bumper sticker or Facebook quote.

Yet, when we encounter Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels, it’s curious that we observe his words are far from simple. If we’re honest, the parables can be challenging to understand. 

Most people don’t use parables today—at least not in the way Jesus employed them. Sure, we are familiar with short stories, or sermon illustrations, and even fun little riddles. But these only scratch at the surface of what Jesus was doing when he taught in parables. 

Far from the feel-good sayings of Confucius or Gandhi, Jesus’ parables bring a reckoning.

The Kingdom is at Hand

The parables of Jesus served a specific purpose. Similarly, Jesus’ time on earth was no joy ride. He spent his days laser-focused on the cross. The parables, likewise, were meant to accompany Jesus’ mission. 

First, we see him warn those who opposed his ministry. Whereas the Jewish people anticipated judgment for God’s enemies, they had become convinced that they were in good standing. Failing to see the greater pulse of the Old Testament, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day established themselves in pride and vain superiority. Unless they, too, bent the knee to the true Messiah, they would likewise endure “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Second, he used parables to welcome those who were ready to trust him with their lives. As part of his strategy to veil meaning in his teaching, Jesus used parables to sift and filter his audience. Those who had already been softened and prepared to confess Christ as Lord would see the message of the parable and rejoice because the kingdom had come. The healing had begun. Jesus was going to make all things new

Finally, Jesus taught the way of the kingdom—the “new kingdom ethic,” as some have called it. In a world that values power, status, and achievement, Jesus devoted a handful of his parables to preaching virtues of humility, forgiveness, and more. While the parables often pointed forward to the eternal state, Jesus maintained the immediate sense of the kingdom. Deliverance was on the horizon, but Jesus still expected his disciples to put heaven into practice while on earth.

Two thousand years later, those parables that God preserved in the Gospels continue to speak to us. Though more technologically advanced and burdened with new problems, humanity still needs the Savior from Galilee. Likewise, as his disciples, we benefit from the beauty of the parables. 

The kingdom of God is at hand. Will we be found faithful in our waiting?

This summer, join us as we survey ten of Jesus’ parables in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Beginning on May 25, we’ll return to the first century and consider the Master’s teaching for our 21st century world.