Parables of Jesus
Workers in the Vineyard: The Parable That Confronts Entitlement
Matthew 20:1–16 is the biblical passage that illustrates the workers in the vineyard parable, highlighting themes of generosity and fairness. When grace is poured out equally, it offends our sense of fairness—but it reveals God’s justice. The workers in the vineyard parable is a perfect example of this. In this powerful parable, Jesus exposes the […]
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: Radical Grace Requires Radical Forgiveness
Matthew 18:21–35 tells the Parable of the unforgiving servant, a powerful story about forgiveness and mercy. The parable of the unforgiving servant illustrates the consequences of holding onto grudges. Parable of the unforgiving servant is a reminder to extend mercy as we’ve received it. Jesus never softens the truth when it comes to forgiveness. Reflect on […]
Jesus and the Parable of the Lost Sheep: A Warning Against Despising the Little Ones
In Matthew 18:10–14, Jesus shares the parable of the lost sheep, emphasizing the importance of each individual in the eyes of God. This story, often referred to as Jesus and the parable of the lost sheep, illustrates how no one is expendable in the kingdom of God. No one is expendable in the kingdom of […]
Treasure the Kingdom of Heaven: Selling Everything for What Matters Most
Matthew 13:44–46 illustrates the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, emphasizing their spiritual significance. These tales reflect the hidden treasure pearl of great price found in the Kingdom of Heaven. Most people search for value in all the wrong places, entirely missing the hidden treasure pearl of great price that […]
The Parable of the Dragnet: When the Kingdom of Heaven Separates Good from Evil
Matthew 13:47–50 illustrates how the kingdom of heaven separates good from evil in its teachings. We love to hear about grace, mercy, and the open arms of God—and rightly so. But Jesus also warned about a day when the doors would close, the nets would be pulled, and a final separation would take place. In this sobering parable, Jesus […]
The Hidden Treasure and Pearl: Why the Kingdom of Heaven Is Worth Everything
Matthew 13:44–46 reminds us that the kingdom of heaven is worth everything. We chase many things—success, comfort, approval, security. But Jesus gave two short parables that confront our priorities with piercing clarity: the Kingdom of Heaven is worth everything. These back-to-back parables call us to trade temporary gain for eternal treasure. In them, Jesus reveals how […]
Small Starts, Big Impact: How the Kingdom of Heaven Grows
Matthew 13:31–33 It’s easy to feel like your efforts are too small to matter. You pray, you serve, you speak truth—but it seems like nothing changes. Jesus answers that doubt directly in the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven. He shows us that God delights in starting small and growing big. Matthew 13:31–33 (NASB 2020) 31 He presented […]
The Parable of the Weeds: Trusting God’s Timing in a World of Chaos
Matthew 13:24–30, often referred to as the parable of the weeds, provides profound insights into the coexistence of good and evil. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s truly following Jesus. We see hypocrisy in church, evil in society, and injustice that seems to go unchecked. But Jesus assures us—He sees it all, and He’s not done […]
The Parable of the Sower: How Will You Respond to God’s Word?
Jesus didn’t just teach to inform minds—He spoke to transform hearts. One of His most powerful teachings is the Parable of the Sower, which illustrates the importance of how we receive and act on His words. In Matthew 13, Jesus begins teaching in parables. The Parable of the Sower is the first, and it lays the foundation […]