SALT Jesus Parable Assignment
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“SALT” Exercise
The Parables of Jesus Assignment
Caleb Willis
NBST 515: New Testament Orientation 1 (B03)
September 16
th
, 2023
1
Contents
1.
Summary-2
2.
Application-3
2
Summary
Jesus often used parables to communicate the message of his teachings to the common
man. When we think of a parable, we usually view them as earthly stories with heavenly
meanings.
1
While this view is true in a sense, it doesn’t fully represent the impact and depth of
the parable. A parable is really an analogy or a way to talk about one thing in terms of something
else. The subject at hand is usually too difficult to outright explain so it is necessary to use
something familiar to aid in getting the point across. Jesus was the master at this, and his
methods of teaching really brought his message of the kingdom of heaven to life. The formula is
quite simple but so profound. Jesus would invite his listener into a scenario that they feel
comfortable and then take everything they know and turn it upside down to teach a lesson. This
hook represented something so profound and lifechanging that it changed the way the listener
viewed the world around them. It was countercultural and went against everything they knew to
be true. This really demonstrated the power of the parable and the effectiveness it had on his
audience. A good example of this is the Parable of the Sower which is found in all three synoptic
gospels. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a farmer that goes out and plants seed. Some seed
falls along the path and birds come and devour it. Some seed falls on rocky soil that can’t take
root and when the sun rises it withers. Some seed fell on thorny ground and the thorns rose and
choked out the seed. The last remaining seed falls on good soil and grows well producing an
abundance. What looks at first like a failure really turns out to be something extraordinary. This
is God’s seed, and he brings the increase in his timing and his way. Our job is simply to just sow
1
Stacy, Robert Wayne.
The Parables of Jesus
. Accessed September 16, 2023.
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/517863/pages/watch-the-parables-of-jesus?module_item_id=55695075.
Your preview ends here
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3
and let God do the rest. This is a parable and Jesus stressed the importance of paying careful
attention when he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15).
Application
In Matthew chapter five verses fourteen through sixteen Jesus teaches the Parable of the
Lamp. In this parable Jesus is teaching that for the Christian message to spread, then his
followers must live out and proclaim their faith to everyone they see. This fits in nicely with how
Matthew portrays Jesus as a teacher in his Gospel. Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough
state
For Matthew, Jesus is the Teacher, called so by himself (10:24–25; 23:10) and by others
(8:19; 19:16; 22:16, 24, 36; 26:18). His whole public ministry is directed toward
instructing the people. He takes advantage of every opportunity to lead them into a
deeper understanding of God. He teaches in the farms and villages of Galilee (9:35;
11:1); in Judea and across the Jordan (19:1–3; cf. Mark 10:1); on the road to Jerusalem
(20:17–19); on the Mount of Olives (24:3–25:46); in the temple courts (21:23); in
synagogues (4:23; 13:54) and houses (13:36–52); in grain fields (12:1–8); in hill country
(5:1–2); from a boat (13:1–3); on weekdays and the Sabbath (26:55). Jesus is filled with
compassion for the ill-taught people and sees them as sheep without a shepherd, harassed
and helpless, as a plenteous harvest without enough workers (9:36–38).
2
Upon initial observance of this parable, it is clear that Jesus is trying to help the people to
understand the importance of living out and proclaiming their faith in a world full of darkness. In
his earthly ministry Jesus had the prophetic ministry of expounding upon the word of God.
3
To a
first century audience they would have immediately recognized the use of the image of the lamp.
Oil lamps were a common household item used primarily to bring light to an otherwise dark
place. Also, as a symbol in the Old Testament, Light was linked with purity, truth knowledge,
revelation and hope and opposed to sin, ignorance, and lack of direction.
4
This would have also
2
Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough,
Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological
Survey
, Third Edition., Encountering Biblical Studies (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 69.
3
Ibid
4
ESV Expository Commentary (Volume 8): Matthew-Luke.
Wheaton: Crossway, 2021, 116. Accessed September 18,
2023. ProQuest Ebook Central.
4
been recognizable to the Jewish audience. As Jesus stated no one with any common sense would
light a lamp to put it under a basket. You light a lamp to bring light into a dark area not to hide it.
The hook comes in verse sixteen where Jesus turns it on them and says that they are supposed to
let their light shine before men and live in such a way that glorifies God and shows that he has
truly changed their life. This stands in contrast to the typical religious model of the pharisees
which was to say one thing and live another way. Jesus alluded to this by calling the Pharisees
hypocrites (Matthew 23:27). The Jewish crowds of the day were astonished at his teaching while
the religious leaders remained indignant.
5
For a contemporary audience the application and meaning would be similar. The world
we live in today is full of darkness and the presence of light is unmistakable. The life of the
Christian should be like light in the midst of darkness. This can be seen in two different ways.
Not only in the aspect of how Gods word gives light to the dark sinful hearts of man (John 1:1-
10), but also how our good works should be shown to all. To put it clearly the world needs to see
the light of Jesus shining bright through his followers just as they did in the first century.
Disciples should aspire to be who we are: salt in an age of decay, light in a dark world and when
we shine we should direct the praise to God.
6
This is what Jesus was teaching all those years ago
and the meaning still stands today. Our lives should reflect the light of Christ.
Bibliography
Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough,
Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey
,
Third Edition., Encountering Biblical Studies (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 69.
5
Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough,
Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological
Survey
, Third Edition., Encountering Biblical Studies (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 69.
6
ESV Expository Commentary (Volume 8): Matthew-Luke.
Wheaton: Crossway, 2021, 116. Accessed September 18,
2023. ProQuest Ebook Central.
5
ESV Expository Commentary (Volume 8
):
Matthew-Luke.
Wheaton: Crossway, 2021
,
116
.
Accessed September 18,
2023. ProQuest Ebook Central.
Stacy, Robert Wayne.
The Parables of Jesus
. Accessed September 16, 2023.
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/517863/pages/watch-the-parables-of-jesus?module_item_id=55695075.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
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