Parables have purpose. (Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13)

13:10-11

Jesus is a genius. Of course we know that. One example of his wisdom is how he taught in parables. “And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” Jesus is saying that the reason he speaks in parables is to give some an understanding of the mysteries of heaven - and to not give others that same understanding. How do parables do that?

• If you aren’t willing to really think about a parable, you won’t get it.

• If you don’t have a larger perspective and deeper understanding of the principle, you won’t get it.

• If you think Christ’s teachings were worthless, you won’t get it.

• If you don’t rely on the Spirit to illuminate your mind, you won’t get it.

However, to others, it is given to them to know the mysteries of God through parables because:

• You have faith there is larger meaning than what’s being said.

• You must exercise faith to consider what the parable means.

• You will study it out in your mind and listen to your heart.

• You listen to promptings from the Spirit and allow him to open your mind and heart.

• Your past spiritual study and experience gives you a perspective to understand.

For example, with this parable of the sower, it sounds like a guy throwing seeds and some grow into plants and others don’t - depending on the soil. However, your spiritual study and experience allows you to see clearly what it really means. You have seen those who have gotten excited about the gospel but quickly fade when trials come. You know what shallow ground and roots are and how to deepen them. This parable can give us a deep understanding of what it means to receive the gospel and how our testimonies are not a reflection of the gospel but of ourselves.

We could write a lot about this parable. The greater understanding we have of the entire gospel gives us insights that others won’t have. The lessons can extend much further than the words themselves. It’s also something that many can relate to and many cannot.

By speaking in parables, it is basically a filter. The lessons get through to those who will believe. Those who won’t will consider the parable useless babble.

13:12

The JST of verse 12 is really good. “For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” This goes along with the previous verses. As we apply our faith through study, our minds open and we understand more and more.

Those of us who shut our minds down, we can lose sight of the understanding we currently have. If we don’t exercise our faith, our faith decreases. Truly, those who aren’t receiving are giving up what they have.

I’ve seen this. I’ve seen someone lose faith and begin walking away from the Church. If you give it a year or two, there spiritually recedes far beyond where they started. It just works that way.

13:13-16

“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Worldly wise people can see and hear the world just fine.

Seeing spiritual concepts and hearing heavenly messages is much harder. If you attempt to explain air to a fish, it doesn’t have a frame of reference to understand. In fact, if you attempt to explain water to a fish, it won’t understand because it’s surrounded by it. It is definitely possible to hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving. I’ve seen it many times where someone simply can’t understand a spiritual concept because they’ve spiritually shut their ears and closed their eyes. Nothing you can say will budge them from their position.

13:27-30

Another parable is taught by Jesus to explain what the kingdom of heaven is like. It starts describing how a man sowed good seed in his field. An enemy came and sowed tares. The good seed grows and bears fruit but the tares also grow. “So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.”

The good seed are the righteous children of God. The tares are the wicked. The Lord allows us both to live together. “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” The harvest is the judgment. The reapers are angels. The good seed will eventually be gathered into heaven.

It’s interesting that Jesus introduces this as a parable to describe the kingdom of heaven. It appears that it’s mostly describing how those who are admitted to the kingdom of heaven are gathered. The process of making it to the kingdom of heaven involves being around tares, growing and bearing fruit anyway.

13:31-33

There are two other parables here. Both are describing the kingdom of heaven.

1. “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” This is describing the Church in the latter days. It will start small but will grow to be so big to support life. The Church is the kingdom of God on earth. This parable is about growth.

2. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” Similar to the parable of the mustard seed, this is also describing the Church/gospel. Instead of focusing on growth, this is more about contact. Through simple contact, leaven can have great affect on its surroundings.

13:44-46

The next two parables describe how we should view the kingdom of heaven. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

It’s important to note that the first man found the treasure and the merchant was seeking. We must put effort into finding the kingdom of heaven. It is not going to be handed to us. We must earnestly seek it.

The primary point for me is that both men were willing to sell all that they had for that single purpose. Once we witness the greatness of the kingdom of heaven, all other worldly concerns or possessions will appear meaningless in comparison. We will see no need for all of the things of this world.

If you died today, what would be important to you. It might be helpful to write a list. That list can help us understand what is really worth anything from this mortal experience.

13:54-58

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” It’s interesting that it’s harder to respect those we are close to.

The fact that we are familiar with someone often prevents us from keeping them in high esteem. We see their humanity. Jesus was sinless. In this way, he was perfect. But, he was likely not perfect at children’s games or youth sports. He likely wasn’t perfectly funny and entertaining. He wasn’t born all knowing. Those who grew up with him witnessed this growth. They were familiar with his mortality and felt this disqualified him from working miracles.

They could not believe that the Messiah could be someone that they grew up with. I imagine they thought that he would grow up in a golden palace in the sky. I’m guessing that many friends of our past prophets may have been surprised that they became prophets - as they knew them in a less-refined state.

It is sad that this familiarity lessened their faith. As a result, Christ didn’t do many miracles. Our own faith affects Christ’s ability to perform miracles in our lives as well.

Luke

13:1-5

Jesus explains two examples of how the consequences of life are NOT attached to righteousness. We should not make the same mistake by judging those who are experiencing trials. Of course, many trials are self-made. I believe that many, if not most, trials are simply part of mortal life and are not connected in any way to poor decisions.

We certainly should also not equate prosperity with wealth. Of course, prosperity follows a good work ethic and good decision-making. But, often prosperity is a simple matter of luck. We should not automatically consider a wealthy person as a righteous one.

13:6-9

This is a parable of a fig tree that isn’t producing. The Lord of the vineyard is God. The “dresser” is Jesus Christ. “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” Some points:

• The Lord of the vineyard worked on the tree for three years. The Israelites considered three to be a number of completeness. In other words, God had made every effort to give the tree a chance to produce fruit.

• His direction was to cut it down. However, the Lord advocated for the tree and wanted to give it another chance. He believed in the tree. He wanted to do something extra to ensure that it would be productive.

• After this final effort, if the tree doesn’t produce, it will be cut down. There are consequences to not bearing fruit permanently. God does run out of patience.

We will receive every opportunity to repent and be righteous. Every effort has been made and then some to ensure that we are successful in becoming immortal and receiving eternal life. No one is going to say that they didn’t have a chance.

It really illustrates how invested God and Jesus are in our success. They are holding nothing back in their work of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. I love them!

13:14-17

Jesus is in a synagogue and sees a woman who had what appears to be a spinal problem for 18 years. He heals her. The response of others is telling. “And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.”

What if you were this church leader? Imagine knowing a woman with a crooked spine. Imagine that you’ve seen her at church for 18 years struggling. You’ve likely pitied the woman from time to time. You have likely assisted her now and then.

One day, a man walks into your church and heals her. How would you feel? I’d imagine that I’d feel gratitude and happiness. I’m not the most empathetic person but my heart would be so full to see her restored.

What would it take for you to feel indignation? How prideful and selfish and insecure and threatened would you need to be to feel this? How lame do you have to be to respond with a lecture about the sabbath day!? They had become twisted in that the rules had become their God. Living by the rules is what gave them status and authority. They worshipped the rules. So, when someone performs a miracle that appears to conflict with the rules, the rules take precedence.

I love Christ’s response. He calls them out on their hypocrisy. They were perfectly happy to work on the sabbath day when it came to the health of their ox or ass. But when it came to the health of an actual daughter of Abraham, their priorities shifted right back to the rules.

It is good to hear that those hypocrites were ashamed. At least they had some sense of morality. I also love to hear that the others “rejoiced.” They didn’t view Jesus as a sabbath breaker - but as a miracle worker.

13:23-24

“Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” I think the key phrase is “strive to enter.” What does it mean? To strive is to “make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.” It’s those who are making a sincere effort to be a good disciple. The striving is about progress. Striving isn’t about perfection. I imagine a person attempting to get up a steep hill. There are times when he will progress. There are times when he’ll slip and fall backward. There are times when he’ll need to take a break to catch his breath. All of that is included in striving.

Those who seek to enter but are not able are those who get stuck in their “seeking.” If I simply desire something but take no action to strive, I’m confined by that desire. If I permanently exist in a world of seeking, I will not be able to enter. They will not have the ability to enter. In other words, they will not have the strength to enter. Strength comes from exercise. I cannot get strong by desiring to exercise. I actually have to do the world to build strength.

Notice there is no mention of a guard in these verses. There is no barrier. There is no judge denying entry. It isn’t about judgment, it’s about ability. They cannot enter because they are not able. If I can’t climb a high mountain because of my lack of strength, there doesn’t need to be a guard at the top. It’s my own weakness that keeps me from climbing.

I think entering into different kingdoms of heaven is like this. It’s not that there are guards at the doors of each kingdom. It’s that we won’t have the strength to enter.

13:25-27

“When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” The imagery changes with these verses. The focus is now on the “master of the house” and our relationship with him.

It’s interesting that these people “begin to stand without” after the master has closed the door. It’s as if these people suddenly want something that they can’t have. They want to be included now that they see that they are excluded.

They ask to enter but the Lord doesn’t know them. They suggest that they should be included because of their proximity to him. I can imagine that there may be some who believe that they will be saved simply because of their membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our membership in the Lord’s Church does not, in itself, give us any inherent rights to entering into the kingdom of God.

Again, it depends on what we do. Our membership isn’t our character. Our membership doesn’t guarantee righteousness. If we a members with hypocrisy, he views us as “workers of iniquity.”

13:29-30

“And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” The Jews didn’t like the idea of Gentiles gaining access to heaven. Their entire identity was about being the chosen people - favored of the Lord. They had bet their eternal salvation on the simple fact that they were born into the right family.

To suggest that others, who were not Israelites, would gain access meant that their entire frame of reference about being chosen was faulty. If it wasn’t their lineage, what was it? If it is something else, it’s possible that they are wrong and vulnerable. They might not make it to heaven!

Those who are considered last in the kingdom of heaven will be first. Those who they believed were not worthy may actually be ahead of them in line. As Jesus said in Matthew 23:12, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

It, again, is a warning to us to not rely on our membership in the true church as access into heaven. Our membership is an advantage, a responsibility, a birthright. But as birthrights of old, ours is to bless others, to be good examples, to be true disciples. Our membership doesn’t guarantee increased righteousness - only increased accountability.

13:34

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” First, Jesus isn’t talking about protecting those who are faithful. He is talking about those who had killed past prophets. These are wicked people who love sin and pride more than righteousness. This is a message to us that, no matter what we have done, Jesus loves us and yearns for us to turn to him.

I love the imagery of a hen protecting her chicks. I’ve heard of mother hens being burned to death to protect her chicks under the protection of her body. It is a great metaphor for the sacrifice that Jesus will make for all of us.

It sounds like Jesus would have gathered Israel over and over again if it would help. The reason he doesn’t gather is because of the choices of the people. He doesn’t say, “I would have gathered you seven times and that’s it.” The limiting factor is the “…and ye would not!” We aren’t gathered and protected because of OUR choices.

Jesus is always ready to protect, heal, strengthen. He never turns his back. The choice is ALWAYS ours to turn away. It’s important that all of us know that he will never abandon us. He is always ready to protect. He has already given up his life to save us. We just have to decide to move under his protective wings.