The Life of Christ

The Lesson of the Seven Parables

Individually, each parable from Matthew 13 contains a wonderful unique lesson about the Kingdom of God. However, collectively, these first seven parables point the way toward a three-part progression one enters as we begin our journey in Christ.

Salvation: Parable of the Sower and the Seed

Our first step is to come to the Lord and allow the word of God to be received into good ground.

Parables of Mixture: Dragnet & Wheat and Tares

The parables of the Wheat & Tares and the Dragnet both draw a distinction between what is outwardly good and evil. Unclean fish look different than clean fish; stalks of wheat appear different than tares.

After becoming a Christian, we begin our walk with Christ by addressing our outward issues — glaring bad habits, improper language, questionable associations, and outright worldliness. Appropriate outward repentance marks the first serious stage in our Christian development.

Parables of Injection: Leavened Loaf & Mustard Seed

The parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leavened Loaf describe the second major phase. After shedding our sins of external worldliness, the Spirit begins to then cleanse attitudes injected under the surface, things unnoticed by others, but known by God. Mt. 13:32 describes the mustard tree as having limbs capable of housing birds that remained out of sight. These evil birds steal the word of God according to Mt. 13:4. On the outside the tree looks normal, but within are enemy strongholds, resistant to biblical change. Regarding the parable of the Leavened Loaf, seven times in the New Testament leaven denotes negative influences that spread (the leaven of the Pharisees, the leaven of hypocrisy, etc.). This parable targets the poisonous attitudes that lay secretly hidden within our hearts. Once the Spirit has sufficiently dealt with outward behaviors and hidden attitudes, we become candidates for further maturity. The "Pearl of Great Price" began to form when a small piece of sand finds its way into an oyster and causes an irritation. The grain of sand was slowly covered with a material called nacre, to eventually emerge as a precious pearl. Believers on the road to maturity must also have an experience with sand. This means undergoing a serious irritation, which if handled correctly produces precious virtue. Similar developments took place as a result of Job’s unexpected trauma, Paul’s thorn in the flesh, and Jesus’ cross. The parable of the Hidden Treasure illustrates the 2000-year wait required of Jesus before returning for the prized treasure He purchased long ago with His blood. From this parable we see that tribulation and patient endurance are the prescribed catalysts to full maturity. Parables of Perfection: Treasure & Pearl of Great Price

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