Welcome on Gospel Spice! I could not be happier to have you with me today as we dive deep into the parables of Jesus, asking His help to understand His message to us today. Parables have always been a powerful tool used by rabbis to reinforce conventional wisdom. But when Jesus sits down and starts speaking in parables, he adds a sprinkle of mystique that captivates His audience.

Matthew 13:1-3 tells us that Jesus wasted no time once He was openly rejected in Matthew 12 (see previous episode). And these parables reveal what lies ahead as a result of his generation's rejection. But why parables? Three reasons stand out. First, Jesus came to fulfill prophetic teachings (Matthew 5:17). By using parables, He connects the Old Testament prophecies to His message and shows that the Messiah spoke in parables too. Second, parables shift the focus from mass appeal to individual faith. Jesus emphasizes the importance of personal belief, rather than trying to convince the masses. Thirdly, Jesus respects our free will and wants our faith to be genuine. He could have performed undeniable miracles, but He loves nothing more than a heart filled with faith. Faith and sight cannot coexist, and He leaves room for questions, so we can choose to believe.

So, buckle up as we embark on a journey where parables unravel the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. From fulfilling prophecies to focusing on individual faith, these teachings hold the key to understanding Jesus' message. I promise you a feast for the mind and soul as we dissect each parable and discover the layers of meaning within. There's so much more to explore in the New Testament and the Old Testament!

The parables highlight the consequences of the generation's rejection of Jesus. These stories hold deep significance for over 2000 years of gentile-dominant Christendom. Intriguing, right? So, let's savor the spiritual spices and flavors that the parables have to offer. As we feast on the Gospel of Matthew, we'll gain insights, wisdom, and a fresh perspective on Jesus' teachings.

The finish line is just ahead, but the journey of faith continues! Even as we get ready to soon bid farewell to Matthew after almost eight months within the pages of his gospel, our spice journey continues! With just a few episodes left in the Gospel of Matthew, we're reaching a bittersweet finish line. Until then, let's unwrap the rich layers of the parables together today!

Are you looking for a place to take notes, some topics to research on your own, or some questions you could ponder to go deeper during your quiet time with God or with a friend? Remember, we have workbooks available for this episode, and every other episode of our Jesus Rabbi and Lord series. For each episode, they contain a summary, listening guide, key takeaways, quotes, questions and topics to go deeper. Go to gospelspice.com/jesus to purchase these workbooks.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit alongside Jesus and his initial audience? To experience the fresh spiritual flavors that the Messianic Jewish culture weaves into the four gospels? Well, that's exactly what we here aim to do through this original series, JESUS RABBI AND LORD. Stephanie invites you to dig deep into Scripture, unearthing raw diamonds that may need a little cleaning up, but will ultimately shine brightly.

So get ready to embark on this enlightening and transformative journey with Gospel Spice. Prepare to encounter Jesus in a way that resonates with our modern world and discover the richness of the gospel through the lens of Jewish culture. Let's dig deep, uncover the hidden spices, and experience the beauty of the Scriptures together. Welcome to Gospel Spice!

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