Articles
Jesus Use of Parables
Something I have always thought interesting about Jesus and His teaching is the fact He used about a third of HIs time teaching in parables. Why?
A parable, in simple terms, is a physical story or example teaching a spiritual lesson. Jesus used these often, and in variable ways to teach lessons in His day.
They continue to teach us today. One of the first we have recorded is the PARABLE OF THE SOILS OR SOWER. (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8)
A parable always has a primary lesson to teach, however, one can observe several other lessons usually.
The PARABLE OF THE SOWER. teaches us God's Word is the seed and men's hearts are the soil. When looking into this parable g Jesus points out some very important facts of life; God's Word, when taught to men, will be sown into different types of hearts. Some will not even listen, others will receive the Word but will take no deep root, others receive the Word but let cares of the world root it out, but some will have hearts that receive the Word and it will grow and thrive in the good hearts.
"And the seed in the good ground, these are the ones who have heard the Word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance." (Luke 8:15)
Jesus understood, I believe, one important fact about using parables -- the ones listening would have an interest in the story being told. By using things familiar to folks they would have an immediate interest. When we hear something we are familiar with or interested in we usually want to know more.
When one observes the parables Jesus used its easy to understand why so many found the situations interesting. Familiar things such as the TARES SOWN IN THE GOOD SEED, THE MUSTARD SEED, THE LEAVEN, THE MERCHANT SEEKING FINE PEARLS, etc. Many more can be found in the wonderful teaching of the Lord. Jesus said, "He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 13:9)...
Since He used so many parables in His teaching, can we not see the importance of those listening? Just as the prophets of old, Jesus referred back to the Prophet Isaiah in Matthew 13. He stresses the importance of listening, yet knowing there would be many who would not. Just as the Prophets of old (Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc) even though many would not listen, God's Word would be spoken and taught. Although time has changed, the Word of God has not. His Word is taught today, even through PARABLES.
"Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again, not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. For ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKET THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS , AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ABIDES FOREVER. And this is the word which was preached to you." 1 Peter 1:22-25) Take time today and go back and read some of those parables that teach so many good lessons.
Ross
