Dear Brother Kevin

Thank you for your helpful study about the beloved Son, the greatest prophet.

I am currently studying the implications of this wonderful truth.

Some of my findings include the following, and I would value input by anyone ([email protected]).

The audiences hearing parables were clearly varied.
Some were receptive and others hostile.
Among the receptive, some may have been spiritually deeper, others much less so, but keen.

How to address such a mixed ability subset?
How to convey nuanced teaching for them all – and later readers of the recorded words, including us?

I believe that the answer lies in the true authorship.

As your study showed, Jesus was the prophet promised in Deuteronomy 18
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

The words Jesus spoke when teaching, perhaps especially when teaching parables, were God’s words, expressed faithfully through him, His humble and obedient Son.

Jesus’ own words from his own mind are rarely recorded.

The prayer in the Garden is one of them.
Luke 22
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

His prayer at the grave of Lazarus is another.
John 11
40 Jesus saith unto her (Martha), Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

His thanks for the bread and cup, knowing to be his body and blood (the words of which were unique to him and possibly silent, requiring an brief explanation of their significance, as his words to the Father were unknown?)

Mark 14
22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

During the ministry, Jesus revealed that his teachings were not his words, but the Father’s. (John 14: 10).

When he answered the disciples’ question in Mark 13: 11-17, he did so in teaching words inspired by his Father.

It follows from this understanding that, in any reply, Jesus did not choose to “allude to scripture”, even though he knew them exceptionally well.
His father always determined what should be spoken, knowing what would perfectly address the needs of the varied audience – and us centuries later.

Jesus, himself, would have learned from the words he was caused to speak: the specific reuse by God of previously inspired words made through earlier prophets, also by new words and ideas – and miracles in locations determined by the Father.

The marvel is that he too, humbly learned and built his faith by hearing God’s word and new words of divine wisdom, expressed through him.
In moments of anxiety, such words, especially compiled by the Father for him to speak and draw comfort from, would have been of great succour.

I would welcome correspond to study other evidences about this wondrous evidence of the collaborative work of the Father and the Son, in bringing salvation.

With love in the Hope we share, by grace.
Brother Paul Simons
([email protected])