The Parables of Jesus: Confounding or Compelling?

In chapter 4 of the Gospel of Mark, the writer introduces us to Jesus's use of parables in teaching. However, in so doing, he refers to Isaiah 6 in a problematic attempt to connect something the prophet described 700 years earlier with the teaching of Jesus. And yet, both Matthew and Luke disagree with Mark's conclusion and change the explanation to suit their approaches. So, what do we do with this? In this sermon, Rev Derwyn points to what Jesus continually talks about in the Gospel and argues (with Mark, no less!) that the parables are about the Kingdom of God and we must consider how we can see the qualities of the kingdom displayed in and through us . . .