3. The Father in the Parables of Jesus

Chapter 3

Parables of Jesus

In all four Gospels we see that Jesus often taught people using parables. A number of these parables give us important insight into how God wants to be a Father to us.

These 8 meditations cover 35 of the 276 references to the Father in the New Testament.

(17) The Parable of the Father's Kingdom

How Jesus transforms the world into his kingdom: through royal sons and daughters who become more and more like their Father.

(18) Sons of the Kingdom, Angels, and the Father's ‘Little Ones’

The Father’s kingdom is different from earthly ones because of the way its sons and daughters see themselves and treat 'little ones'.

(19) Wandering ‘Little Ones’ and Abusive Siblings in the Father's Kingdom

Two parables reveal the Father’s attitude towards ‘little ones’ who wander off and towards older siblings who despise or abuse them.

(20) The ‘Bad Son’, the ‘Good Son’, and their Father's Costly Redemption

Heard through Middle Eastern ears, a familiar story reveals a family dimension to sin, to Christ’s redemption and to God’s goal for us.

(21) Doing the Father's Will with Authority in a New Season

Jesus uses a fig tree and a family parable to speak about a change of seasons and the source and practice of true spiritual authority.

(22) Bearing Fruit out of Love, Obedience, Understanding and Friendship

Jesus’ parable about the vine stalk is as much about our relationship with the Father as it is about our relationship with Jesus.

(23) Jesus' Model for Discipling Families and Nations—with the Father

Walking with the Father like Jesus did is the key to effective witness and leadership among people of any family, ethnic group or nation.

(24) Resurrection Joy with the Father, through the Spirit

Jesus uses a childbirth metaphor to teach his disciples that their new relationship with the Father will be more than just a metaphor.

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Bible translation reminders

The word 'YOU' in capitals in the Scripture passage indicates that the second person in the Greek text is plural. A group of people is being addressed. When you see a 'you' in lower case, you know that the Greek is singular, and a single individual is being addressed.

The translation being used is indicated with an abbreviation. PH and GH refer to my own translation for the Gospel 'harmony' and the 'harmony' of Paul's life and letters that I have produced. Whenever a scripture passage is taken from the already published Gospel harmony (GH)—The Good News of the Messiah by the Four Witnesses—the page number(s) will be listed in a footnote at the bottom of that meditation.

See Bible Translations Used if you want to know more about these publications, or if you don't recognize one of the other abbreviations used after the text reference .

Bible References in Italics

When chapter and verse numbers appear in italics in the Meditation portion of the lesson (in parentheses), it means that the text being identified can be found above, in the Scripture passage for that same Meditation.

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Chapter 3 Parables of Jesus

In all four Gospels we see that Jesus often taught people using parables. A number of these parables give us important insight into how God wants to be a Father to us. These 8 meditations cover 35 of the 276 references to the Father in the New Testament.