Lessons ofParables recorded by Luke

1.

New and old garment - 5:36 - Spoken at Levi's house in answer to the Pharisee's question about why Jesus' disciples did not fast as John's disciples did. To cut patches from Christianity(new cloth) to fill up rents of .ludaism(old garment) will result

in:

i) ii) iii)
2.

Christianity will be spoilt Christianity cannot be assimilated to.Iudaism Hastening the fall of Judaism Pharisees by insisting on fasting is demanding that the Gospel be grafted on to the Mosaic Law. Refers to outward fbrms and ceremonies.

New wine in old wine-skins - 5:37,38 - same occasion as parable of new and old gatment. a) Expansive freedom of Christianity cannot be confined in old unyielding forms of Judaism b) Attempt to combine Christianity with Judaism will cause such a fermentation leading to destruction of both. - Refer to principle or spirit of 2 dispensations. Jesus" argument i) Christianity, a life of union with Christ, is too joyous a fellowship to admit sorrow. ii) Christianity is not a sect of Judaism and cannot be part of it. iii) No man can be under law and grace. Combination will ruin both. iv) Jesus can make allowance for honest hearts to cling to an old faith.

3.

built on rock and sand - 6:41-49 - End of the Sermon on the Mount Our lives must be built on the firm tbundation of hearing and obeying Jesus' words. Mere head knowledge is not sufficient to stand challenges and temptations of life because of lack of firm foundation. Basically teaches impoftance of application of God's Word in our lives.
Houses

4.

Two Debtors - 7:4I-43 - Spoken at Simon the Pharisee's house in response to Simon's attitude toward the woman(sinner) who came with an alabaster flask of ointment.
Lessons

a) We value the forgiveness of God in proportion to our sense of sin. b) Our love to God is also in proportion to God's great love to us.

5.

The Sower - 8:4-8 - Spoken to a great crowd who came to Jesus from many towns as he w-as going through cities and villages preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. Shows different responses of man's heart to seeds of Gospel. Good and honest heart: - holds fast to word - chiefcharacteristic - persistency & patience - simple, truthful, earnest nature fitted for receiving and nourishing word of everlasting life to bring forth fiuit with patience.

6.

Good Samaritan - 10:30-37 - spoken in reply to the lawyer's question - "And who is my neighbour? Lessons a) Not to be like lawyer who narowed his responsibility by confining neighbour to those bound to us by ties of friendship, acquaintance or nationality but to have a feeling of neighbourliness towards everyone with whom we come in contact. b) Picture of salvation of man by Jesus - the good Samaritan. Contrast between charity of Samaritan and cold indifference of priest and Levite.

t.

Friend at midnight - 1l :5-8 - In response to his disciples' request to teach them to pray John taught his disciples and after'The Lord's Prayer'. Teaches the efficacy of earnest, imporlunate (perseverant) prayer.

as

8.

Rich Fool - 12:16-21- Spoken in response to a man who asked Jesus to bid his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Those who just lay up earlhly treasures are not rich toward God. Uncertainty of riches contrasts with 'laying hold of eternal life'. Not to be selfish in our enjoyment to the exclusion of caring for others in need.
Servants waiting for their Lord

9.
10.
1

12:35-38

teaches watchfulness for Jesus' Second Coming.

Faithful Steward

12:42-48

disciples to nufture believers until Jesus'return.

1. Barren

Fig tree * 13:6-9 - Spoken after some told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices. Jesus used parable to illustrate the importance of bearing fruit of repentance. God's punishment for sin comes upon those who do not repent. Repentance leads to forgiveness. God is long-suffering to sinners.

12. Mustard seed

Wonderful growth &

13. Leaven

13: 1 8,1 9

Spoken after the healing of the woman with the spirit of infirmity. expansion of visible Church from an insignificant beginning.

- 13:20,2I - Spoken together with parable of the mustard seed after the healing of the woman with a spirit of infirmity. Secret, invisible, rapid work of Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, sanctifying and making holy the Church. -

14:8-11 - Spoken in house of a Pharisee ruler when Jesus was invited to 14. Wedding Supper dine on Sabbath when Jesus noticed how some chose the places of honour. Lesson on humility - against pride of wanting positions of honour a) to guest - not to take chiefseats at banquets b) to host - whom to invite - poor, lame etc.(those who cannot repay one's

hospitality

15. Great Supper

- 14:16-24 - In response to someone's remark - Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. At Pharisee's house where Jesus was invited to dine on a Sabbath. Primarily depicts clearly rejection of Jews and admission of Gentiles into God's kingdom. Secondly - call to Gospel privileges if neglected may result in final exclusion from them.

16. Man building a tower

- 14:28-30 - Taught to great multitudes follou,ing Jesus. Teaches the importance of counting cost of discipleship - take up cross & follow Jesns.
14:31,32 - same occasion and lesson as man building a tower importance of counting the cost of discipleship.

17. King going to war

18. Lost sheep

- 15:3-7 - Spoken in response to Pharisee's and scribes murmuring about Jesus receiving sinners and eating with them when tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to hear Jesus. Teaches the pains taken to save sinners & joy in heaven over salvation of a lost
soul.

19. Lost coin

15:8-

l0 -

same occasion and lesson as lost sheep.

20. Prodigal Son - 15:11-21- same occasion as parables of the lost sheep and coin. a) Exquisite picture of sin, penitence & forgiveness. b) Answers murmuring Pharisees (elder brother). c) Indirectly pictures attitude of Jews towards admission of Gentiles into Church.
2 I . Unj

a) b)

c)

ust Steward - 1 6: 1 -8 - Spoken to Jesus' disciples. Men of the world energetically & cleverly execute their worldly business contrasting with the apathy & ignorance displayed by the sons of light in seeking after God's kingdom & His righteousness. To make proper use of riches to prepare for the world to come & not to let riches be a snare leading to vice & laziness. To be faithful stewards of God, not squandering our riches but to use them in useful deeds of mercy.

22.Dwes &Lazarus - 16:19-31 - Spoken against covetousness of the Pharisees who were lovers of money when they scoffed at Jesus after Jesus' teachings about riches.. Shows fearful punishment of those who do not use their stewardship of wealth properly. The rich man's sins were to indulge with luxury living and ignoring a needy man just at his gate and not applying what he learnt from Moses and the prophets.
23. The Unjust Judge or Importunate Widow - 18:2-5 - Spoken to teach disciples that they ought to pray and not lose hearl. Teaches urgent intense continual prayer. 24. Pharisee & Publican - 1 8:10- 14 -Spoken to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. Teaches prayer as a lifting of the heart to God, acknowledging His power & willingness to save, & our absolute wofthlessness. 25. The Pounds - 19:12-27 - Spoken atZacchaeus' house. Kingdom expected by Jervs was not to come immediately. Jesus, their King, will leave his people for a while before he returns. In the meantime, his disciples are expected to serve him diligently because they will be required to give an account of their service. Jesus will assign rewards to the faithful, punishment to the faithful and destruction to his enemies.

26. The Wicked

Husbandmen 20:9-16 - Spoken against the.lews and principally the chief priests after the Sanhedrin questioned Jesus about his authority to teach the people. Parable clearly typifies the rejection of the Jews with the admission of the Gentiles into God's kingdom.