This is a highly edited sermon on the 5th narrative sermon of the Gospel of Mark. In it I address Mark’s depiction of Jesus’ parable telling. It is the first record of Jesus’ actual teaching since the short snippet recorded in chapter one concerning the time of kingdom being at hand.
I address the issue central to the sermon as to why Jesus teaches so much in parables. The answer is unsettling unless one follows the flow of the paragraphs as Jesus explains himself in terms of Isaiah’s call to ministry. Jesus answers the question “Why parables?” with a quote… which is not a direct answer. It is Jesus’ intention to preach a salvation message, but it is important that parables be used to sift the hearers, to draw out those who have ears to hear, who are ready for deeper instruction.
Enjoy!
