Shabbat Shalom, Nazarene family.
- The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree: Luqa (Luke) 13:6-9
- The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican: Luqa (Luke) 18:9-14
- The Parable of the Ten Virgins: Mattityahu (Matthew) 25:1-13
- The Parable of the Watchman Servant: Mattityahu (Matthew) 24:42-51
- The Parable of the barren fig tree: We must be productive and bear fruit in accordance with our faith.
- The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican: Sincere humility and repentance are more highly valued by Yahweh than self-righteousness and arrogance.
- The Parable of the Ten Virgins: Let us prepare ourselves spiritually at all times for the coming of the Messiah.
- The Parable of the Watchman Servant: Use your skills wisely for service and growth of the Kingdom.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 25:31-34
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the set-apart messenges with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”
Yeshua taught in parables for several fundamental reasons:
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Accessibility and comprehension: Yeshua used parables, simple and vivid stories, to convey spiritual and moral teachings in a way that was easily understandable for his audience. These stories employed metaphors and everyday situations that people could grasp and remember easily.
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Prompting reflection and deeper understanding: Parables were not just simple stories; they had layers of deeper meaning. Yeshua used them to prompt reflection in his listeners and allow them to discover spiritual and ethical truths for themselves.
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Memorable teaching: Parables were easy to remember, enabling the audience to retain Yeshua’s teachings long after hearing the stories. These narratives helped them recall and apply spiritual principles in their daily lives.
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Avoiding direct confrontations: At times, Yeshua used parables to convey his messages without directly confronting those who opposed Him. This allowed him to teach important truths without sparking open confrontations with his detractors.
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Challenging prejudices and expectations: Yeshua used parables to challenge common perceptions and expectations of people regarding spiritual, ethical, and social issues. This compelled them to reflect on their own beliefs and actions.
In summary, parables were a powerful tool that Yeshua used to communicate deep truths in an accessible and meaningful way, enabling the audience to reflect and grow spiritually through understanding and application.
We hope that you, and especially your sons and daughters, will enjoy this activity. For it is through the study of the Scriptures that we can come to understand the love and care that Yahweh has always had for us. And also perceive that He has been taking care of even the smallest detail, so that we can take care and enjoy all that He gives us. That is why it is so important that our children learn and grow up knowing that they are loved by the Creator of all that exists.
Shalom.
