Jesus said: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?” Mark 4:13
TOPIC: Jesus spoke in parables.
BACKGROUND: Jesus often used parables to explain a point.
The teaching method most often used by Jesus was the parable. Nearly a third of all Jesus’ teaching was done through parables. Interestingly, his 30 parables are only found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John contains no parables.
We say a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. The word parable is from the Greek word meaning “to come alongside.” It is a form of teaching in which heavenly principles come alongside common objects (pearls, sheep, coins, etc.) and familiar situations (sowing seed, a wedding banquet, and hiding a treasure.) Jesus’ purpose was to make his points easy for us to remember. And that is certainly true! How can we forget the Good Samaritan, the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Son!
Jesus’ use of the parable changed during his ministry. At the outset, Jesus spoke especially to the common people using familiar illustrations. However, as time went by and Jesus was constantly attacked by the teachers, he began using parables almost exclusively. Matthew 13:34 tells us, “He did not say anything to them without using a parable” The meaning was withheld from those whose hearts were hardened against him. After telling his parable of the sower and the seed, “His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’” (Luke 8:9,10).
We rejoice that the Holy Spirit has given us willing ears to listen to the parables of Jesus and to enjoy their insight, depth, and warmth!
PRAYER THOUGHT: The Psalter
My people, give ear, attend to My Word,
In parables new deep truths shall be heard;
The wonderful story our fathers made known
To children succeeding by us must be shown.
PAUL WRITES ABOUT JESUS: “God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything.” Ephesians 1:22 CEV
From At the Feet of Jesus by Reynold R. Kremer