In September of 1999, I began work on a new project. It was to be an intensive study designed to bring me to a better understanding of the book of Matthew. I dedicated myself to this task full-time and decided to use no outside helps; just me, the text, much prayer and meditation. What happened during the course of this work simply amazed me. It was a personal discovery that I was not expecting or intending to make, but one that benefited me greatly. I wanted to understand the Apostle and was willing to go to any length to do so. I never guessed his work would be so intricate or robust. I found something quite amazing... the parables of Jesus were the key to understanding the First Gospel .... and .... Matthew explained each and every one of them.
An Ancient Book
Matthew was an ancient Hebrew author. And, not surprisingly, he wrote in a manner consistent with his ancient Hebrew predecessors. Yet, as I studied, being a 21st century Gentile, I realized that I wasn't aware of how the ancient Hebrews wrote, or rather, how they would have organized their written material. I began noticing an 'odd' method of organization within the text, though quite understandable. It was just something that I'd never seen before, though I would later discover that the very same patterns I had been seeing were well-documented in the Old Testament and some even in the New Testament. Matthew also included, in ancient Hebraic fashion, many riddles and mysteries within his gospel, ones that required further investigation to be solved. For understanding, I was forced to stay with him (which I now believe was his goal in the first place). And if understanding was really my goal, then I was certainly going to be put to the test.
Hidden Treasure
The book of Matthew is not what it appears to be. Simply put, on the surface it seems to be a biography of Jesus Christ. But just like a field that keeps hidden a buried treasure, this gospel does the same. The author used different literary conventions and teaching techniques; ones that I had not anticipated. Yet, when I finally understood these things - these ancient Hebrew methods - I also understood something else. It had never been Matthew's intent to write a biography. He was never commanded to do such; but to make disciples, he was. Matthew, with purpose and intentionality, crafted, with very specific, hidden lessons, a discipleship manual. This is The Parable Discovery. There are many mysteries contained within Matthew's gospel, and things hidden since the foundation of the world. And as you explore The Parable Discovery, you will begin to experience the actual first century lessons meant for the disciple; discipleship lessons that were hidden purposefully within the text by the Apostle.
The Kingdom Parables
Matthew Chapter 13 (be sure to see 'The Key to Matthew' under the heading 'Ancient Ways') is an enigmatic chapter and literally the key to the entire book. There one finds that Jesus spoke in parables that could not be understood; at least not without further information. But now, with an understanding of the ancient Hebrew literary techniques and their ancient teaching methods as well, one actually has the tools to understand the mysteries of the kingdom, the cryptic parables that Jesus uttered that day on the seashore.
Three Books
The Parable Discovery, The Mysteries of the Kingdom, and Parallels and Prophecy are all available on this site. They were written and designed to lead you to this treasure trove of discipleship information. They will take you back to the first century, where you will learn the teaching methods of the ancient Hebrews. You will learn about their unique literary structures and how the Apostle Matthew incorporated both into his work. You will also learn how he used these techniques to craft a discipleship manual with specific lessons designed to make disciples of those who would choose to become his careful students. If discipleship, or a better understanding of the parables of Jesus, is your intent, then these books are for you.
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