Parables of Jesus: Lesson One

The Bible records only 2026 words spoken by Christ. This series “Words of Jesus” covers each and every phrase he spoke. We begin in lesson one with the first parable spoken by the Lord.

With so few spoken words of Christ recorded, to have this parable repeated three times in the synoptic gospels is GOD’s way of saying, “Attention, Hear this, Listen”. This first parable is a must understand principal of living a victorious Christian life.

Near the beginning of his ministry, Jesus appoints twelve apostles. In Matthew and Mark, despite Jesus only briefly requesting that they join him, Jesus’ first four apostles, who were fishermen, are described as immediately consenting, and abandoning their nets and boats to do so (Matthew 4:18–22, Mark 1:16–20). In John, Jesus’ first two apostles were disciples of John the Baptist. The Baptist sees Jesus and calls him the Lamb of God; the two hear this and follow Jesus. In addition to the Twelve Apostles, the opening of the passage of the Sermon on the Plain identifies a much larger group of people as disciples (Luke 6:17). Also, in Luke 10:1–16 Jesus sends seventy or seventy-two of his followers in pairs to prepare towns for his prospective visit. They are instructed to accept hospitality, heal the sick and spread the word that the Kingdom of God is coming.