Parables

Matthew 13: 24-48. The Lord Often Taught with Parables

- In the Bible Dictionary we can read about “Parables”. Here is a simplified version of what a parable is.

     

A story that is intended to teach a moral or spiritual lesson. In scriptural terms, Christ used parables to teach truths to those who had enough faith to hear. Those who were not ready to learn didn't find meaning and understanding in parables.

- Read the following parables: parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30); parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:47-50); parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46); parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50). Each of the following questions can be paired with one of these parables.

What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

            The mustard seed

Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?
            Net

How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier?

            Leaven
Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?

            Treasure and pearl of great price

Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?
            Wheat and tares

- Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see Matthew 13:44-46), what sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel? What sacrifices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?
     Money
     Career
     Friends
     Immorality
     Things contrary to the Word of Wisdom
     Time

- What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (See Matthew 13:47). What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (See Matthew 13:48-50).

     I thought of two different meanings for the parable of the net. The first one has to do with bringing people into the church. We send out missionaries and cast that net. They find all kinds of people, some who are ready to convert, and those who are not ready to accept the gospel. Those who are ready are brought into the vessel, or converted. Those who are not, are cast back and will be caught another time.

     I also thought of it in terms of the second coming. The net is the gospel of Jesus Christ. All those who accept it and are righteous are gathered into that net. They are brought into the vessel and find safety and security within the gospel. Those who are wicked and make no place for the gospel are cast away. They have no place with Christ and they will be lost at the time He comes again.

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12

The meaning of the word blessed within the beatitudes.

Blessed, in terms of the Beatitudes, is in reference to real joy. It isn’t the joy the world brings but that the Savior brings. Being blessed would mean being filled with real joy that comes as we are poor in spirit, mourn with those who mourn, meek, seek righteousness, merciful, and pure in heart. Those are the things that bring this “real” joy that is not temporary, but eternal.

Three beatitudes that have, in the past or can in the future, increase my happiness.

Blessed are the poor in spirit.
This beatitude is what sparked the most important change in my life. I was at a crossroads of choosing to be an active, participating member of the church, or not. It took a great deal to get me to the point where I was so knocked down and hopeless. It was then that I felt the need to find help. I had a desire to find hope and peace in my life. It was difficult to be humble enough to admit I needed help. Once I did I was able to find that peace I was looking for. Even though circumstances haven’t changed much, I have been able to experience greater happiness.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake.
This is more of a future beatitude for me. It is something I would like to be more confident in saying I would be like. I love the gospel and I know it is true. I question my level of faith though when I think of being put in situations of great persecution. I can’t say with certainty that I would proclaim my beliefs. I worry fear would take over. I am not afraid to tell people I am a Member and I will defend my beliefs. In a big situation, I don’t know what I would do. Being to a point I feel I could do that would greatly increase my happiness.

Blessed are they that mourn.
This is one that is definitely part of my past and my future. I actually didn’t understand completely what this meant until reading the student manual. I wasn’t aware it referred to repentance. I have had many experiences with repentance, and repenting for the most serious mistakes has brought me the most joy. There is relief and true happiness that comes by applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ to my life. I have experienced that and I know I will continue to experience it throughout my entire life.

I am grateful for my study of the beatitudes. For one, I couldn't have probably told you before what they were. For two, I realized I didn't have a clear understanding of what some of them were actually talking about. These things: being poor in spirit, repentant, meek, righteous seeking, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for the sake of righteousness , are the things that will bring us happiness. We will being able to possess pure joy that comes only through Jesus Christ.

Being Born Again (The Basics)

The Savior declared that we must be “born again” (John 3:3). Review John 3:1–8; Mosiah 5:7. Then respond in writing to the following questions and instructions:

• What is the difference between “seeing” the kingdom of God and “entering” the kingdom of God?
      -Seeing the kingdom of God means the Holy Ghost has worked within a person to bring about a “change of heart.” Entering the kingdom of God involves participating in the ordinances of the gospel. Seeing involves the change of heart and entering means following a righteous course.
  
  
• What did Jesus Christ teach Nicodemus that he must do to enter the kingdom of God?
      -He had to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
  
  
• What does it mean to be “born of water?”
      -Being born of water means being baptized by immersion.
  
  
• Read Moses 6:59 and list ways that baptism is a symbol of rebirth. Read Romans 6:4 and list how baptism can be a symbol of death.
      -Water, blood, and the Spirit are part of being born into this world. Likewise, baptism involves being immersed in water, receiving the Holy Spirit, and being cleansed by the blood of Christ. During baptism we are placed under the water much as someone is placed in the ground at death. As we come out of the water, we are being made wholly clean and beginning a new life. This is much the same as being placed in a grave and then becoming new at the time of resurrection.
  
  
• What does it mean to be “born of the Spirit?”
      -Born of the Spirit means receiving the Holy Ghost.
  
  
• What natural element does the Lord compare with the Spirit? Why is it an effective comparison?
      -The Lord compares the Spirit to the wind. He says that we are certain the wind blows, yet it is something we cannot see. So it is with the Spirit. The Spirit is real, and speaks to men, but we cannot see it. This is a good comparison because the wind is a very tangible example for those who don’t understand the Spirit. One wouldn’t deny that wind exists, even though it is something that is only felt. Then why should one doubt the Spirit is real when it too can be felt but not seen?

Review John 3:14–17, 35–36. Write a paragraph that describes who the Father loves, what He has done to show his love for his children and for Jesus Christ, what the purpose of the Savior was, and what blessings will come to those who accept the Son.
    -God loves the world, in other words, all of mankind. This perfect love is shown to us through the sacrifice of His chosen Son, Jesus Christ. Christ is the most beloved of the Father and thus He was entrusted with the authority and the power to be the Savior of the world. He came to the earth as an example and to atone for man so we can be worthy before God. Those who accept the Son can be saved through His atonement and, by living righteously, receive the blessing of eternal life.

A Bit About Christ

5 truths about Jesus Christ’s pre-mortal life

~He created the world.

~He was with God from the beginning.

~Chosen to be the Savior of the world.

~Glorified just as the Father is.

~The mouthpiece of God from the beginning.

5 truths about Jesus Christ’s mortal life

~He did the work of His Father on the earth.

~He was the messenger to the world of the Father.

~The only literal offspring of the Father, on the earth.

~Many did not receive Him.

~The Light of the world

Names and titles of the Savior

Christ – Interchangeable with the term Messiah. The firstborn of God in the Spirit, and the Only Begotten Son of God on the earth.
Messiah – It means the anointed. It refers to the King and Deliverer the Jews were waiting for and expecting.

Jehovah – The covenant name of Christ. It refers to being unchangeable and eternal.

Immanuel – It means, God with us. It was a title given as a sign of God’s deliverance.

The Word – It means expression. It refers to Christ being the expression of the Father to the world. He brought the message of salvation.