Healing demon-possessed men and resultant opposition:
Matthew (Two Demon-Possessed Men, Gadarenes region): Matthew 8:28-34
Mark & Luke (A Demon-Possessed Man, Gerasa region): Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39
Crossing the Lake and Calming the Storm
“Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Matthew: Matthew 8:18, 23-27
Mark: Mark 4:35-41
Luke: Luke 8:22-25
Parable of the House Owner
“Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. They said yes, but I’m not so quick to answer.
The House Owner: Matthew 13:51-53
Parable of the Net
Eschatology, a major branch of study within Christian theology, studies the end of time as we know it on earth. In this parable, Jesus once again points to the time when good and evil will be separated.
Parable of the Net: Matthew 13:47-50
Parable of the Valuable Pearl
The Valuable Pearl:
Matthew 13:45-46Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Another parable that describes the kingdom of heaven. Great way to keep our perspective. In order to seek first his kingdom, it’s important to know what his kingdom is like. Matthew provides some great clues!
The Hidden Treasure: Matthew 13:44
Parable of the Yeast
The preaching of the Gospel is like yeast or leaven, working from the inside out. The dough that is kneaded with yeast looks the same as that which has no leavening agent…at least at first. Given the right conditions, the right ingredients, the dough with yeast behaves much differently. It’s a very interesting parable for me since my dad spent many years working as a baker. He taught me the simple rules of making yeast breads and emphasized the importance of temperature, kneading (not too much) and most significantly, proofing.
My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.Psalm 78:1-3
Parable of the Yeast: Matthew 13:33-35, Mark 4:33-34
Parable of the Mustard Seed
“The kingdom of heaven is like…” is included in several parables in this chapter of Matthew and a few more times later on in the gospel. Mark and Luke write, “kingdom of God” in some of the parables they provide for us to learn. It stuck me as interesting this morning as I read news of troubles in this world. The kingdom that we are hoping for, that we are waiting for, is not like the kingdom of this world.
The Mustard Seed: Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32
Parable of the Weeds
Parable of the Weeds: Matthew 13:24-30, 13:36-43. Jesus continues to preach in parables, an attempt to engage those who might otherwise miss the great message he was providing.
Parable of the Growing Seed
The Growing Seed: Mark 4:26-29.
This parable is unique to Mark’s gospel record and it’s related to the Parable of the Sower, no doubt taught in the same context, but it’s a bit different. Whereas the earlier parable talks about different soil where the seeds fall, this parable focuses on the growth of the seed.