-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

-Jesus’ First Group of Parables
-Matt 13:1-52, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:4-18
-Remember, we are still considering the events of a very long day in the life of Jesus.
-(When considering the passages containing parables, we will not pursue the details of each parable.
  That is beyond the scope of this study.  However, we will simply address the time in the life of Christ
  when they were given and perhaps each parable’s main point.)
-These are not Jesus’ first parables.  (See Luke 6:39 and Luke 7:41-42.)  However, these are the first
  parables presented as a group.
-Jesus, now on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, enters a ship and addresses the large multitude.
-Here He delivers several parables publicly to the people:
     -The Parable of the Sower – Matt 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-8, Luke 8:5-8
     -The Parable of the Tares – Matt 13:24-30
     -The Parable of the Mustard Seed – Matt 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32
     -The Parable of the Leaven – Matt 13:33
     -The Parable of the Seed Growing of Itself – Mark 4:26-29
-Later, after sending the multitude away, Jesus was alone (Mark 4:10) in a house (Matt 13:36).  At this
 time, the twelve apostles and other disciples (Mark 4:10) gathered to Jesus and asked Him about the
 parables (Matt 13:10, 36; Mark 4:10) and why He utilized them in speaking to the multitude.
     -The fact that there were other followers there with the apostles shows us that the multitude was
      composed of three different groups:  1) the twelve apostles, 2) other disciples (followers) of Jesus
      and 3) those who heard but didn’t follow.
     -To these who had inquired, Jesus explained the purpose of teaching in parables and the meaning of
      the Parable of the Sower.  Jesus also explained the Parable of the Tares and delivered the Parable of
      the Hidden Treasure, the Parable of the Goodly Pearl, Parable of the Net and the Parable of the
      Householder (Matt 13:36-52).
-Here are the main points of this group of parables:
     -Sower – People receive God’s word in different ways.  We must be careful how we receive it.
     -Tares and the Net – Good and evil dwell together in the world.  However, there is coming a day
                                     (Judgment Day) when God will separate good and evil.
     -Mustard Seed and Leaven – The kingdom would grow exceedingly and would be a haven of
                                                 spiritual rest.
     -Seed Growing of Itself – The kingdom would grow as a result of the power of God.
     -Hidden Treasure, Goodly Pearl – The kingdom is worth leaving/surrendering all.
     -Householder – Spiritual truth should be treasured and utilized.
-In the evening (Mark 4:35), Jesus and His followers made their way back to the Sea of Galilee.
 Seeing that a multitude had formed once again (Matt 8:18), and in dreadful need of rest from a very
 long day, Jesus decided to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.