This Sunday, we are learning:
Parable of the Great Banquet
Luke 14:12-24
In Luke 14:15, a man attending a feast with Jesus comments on how blessed it will be for those who will feast in the kingdom of God. In response, Jesus tells a parable. Despite popular opinion that parables are simple teaching tools used by Jesus to make His meanings more clear, the purpose of parables are actually to hide information from those who “do not have ears to hear.”
When Jesus begins His ministry, He offers God’s people (Israel) the kingdom they have been waiting for. But then Israel formally rejects the offer of the kingdom by attributing God’s work to Satan (Matthew 12:24, 31).
Following this rejection of Him in Matthew 12, Jesus speaks to the people only in parables (Mark 4:33–34). In Matthew 13:10–15, His disciples ask Jesus why He speaks in parables. He answers, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.” In response to the man who made the comment and to the Jews who arrogantly saw themselves in a privileged position, Jesus warns them that their having been invited to the feast means nothing if they reject the One who invited them.
Jesus is correcting their notion that only Jews would be a part of the kingdom. He says that many of these others, whom the Jews considered “unclean,” will be sitting at the table—while the Jews who rejected Him will be left outside. Jesus is saying that while the Jews remain the people of God, salvation is open to Jew and Gentile alike. But it is only available by faith. Though they weren’t able to fully grasp the meaning of the parable, these self-righteous men knew enough to be offended at Jesus’ claim that He is salvation.
How do you share these kind of passages with your children?
Do you ask them to bring home 1 thought from Bible study that they can share with you and then apply during their week?
Have you had a time of worship in your family lately? Play a song this weekend and begin singing and see what do the kids do around you.
When Jesus begins His ministry, He offers God’s people (Israel) the kingdom they have been waiting for. But then Israel formally rejects the offer of the kingdom by attributing God’s work to Satan (Matthew 12:24, 31).
Following this rejection of Him in Matthew 12, Jesus speaks to the people only in parables (Mark 4:33–34). In Matthew 13:10–15, His disciples ask Jesus why He speaks in parables. He answers, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.” In response to the man who made the comment and to the Jews who arrogantly saw themselves in a privileged position, Jesus warns them that their having been invited to the feast means nothing if they reject the One who invited them.
Jesus is correcting their notion that only Jews would be a part of the kingdom. He says that many of these others, whom the Jews considered “unclean,” will be sitting at the table—while the Jews who rejected Him will be left outside. Jesus is saying that while the Jews remain the people of God, salvation is open to Jew and Gentile alike. But it is only available by faith. Though they weren’t able to fully grasp the meaning of the parable, these self-righteous men knew enough to be offended at Jesus’ claim that He is salvation.
How do you share these kind of passages with your children?
Do you ask them to bring home 1 thought from Bible study that they can share with you and then apply during their week?
Have you had a time of worship in your family lately? Play a song this weekend and begin singing and see what do the kids do around you.