Many times we have wondered why Jesus spoke in parables. Why didn’t he speak to us directly? Why did it have to be so complicated?
Jesus himself gives us the answer to this question in Matthew 13:10-17. In these verses, Jesus explains that he spoke in parables because not everyone understood his message. Some people had ears but could not hear, and others saw but could not understand.
Jesus knew that if he spoke in parables, only those who were willing to listen and understand could do so. The parables allowed him to teach in a way that reached people, and also gave his listeners an opportunity to reflect on what they had heard.
Sometimes Jesus’ parables can seem difficult to understand, but if we take the time to reflect on them, we can discover the truth that Jesus wanted to teach us.
What does it mean to speak in parables?
Jesus used to teach people using parables. Parables are short stories that illustrate a moral or spiritual point. Jesus used the parable to teach people about the kingdom of God. Often, Jesus’ parables involved familiar characters, such as the good Samaritan, the merciful father, or the sower. Jesus said that the purpose of the parables was “that seeing, they may not see; and hearing, they do not understand” (Luke 8:10). In other words, Jesus wanted people to understand the meaning of his parables, but not all of them did. The followers of Jesus had to ask Jesus to explain the meaning of some of his parables.
What messages did the parables leave?
Jesus taught people through preaching and parables. Parables were teachings in the form of stories that could be easy to remember and had a hidden message. Often, Jesus used nature or everyday things to illustrate his teachings. The parables were also useful in teaching people to think critically and look at situations from different perspectives. Some of the messages left by Jesus’ parables were about the kingdom of God, justice, mercy and forgiveness. Jesus taught that the kingdom of God was a place of justice, mercy, and forgiveness, and that everyone could have access to it if they were humble and repentant. The parables also emphasized the importance of faith, hope, and love. In the parable of the sower, for example, Jesus taught that faith was like a seed that could grow and produce fruit if given the chance. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus taught that God was always ready to forgive those who repented of their sins. And in the parable of the figure hidden in the light, Jesus taught that love was the light that led the way to the kingdom of God. Jesus’ parables not only taught people about the kingdom of God, but also showed them how to live according to his teachings.
Jesus spoke in parables to teach people about the kingdom of God. Parables were a way of illustrating spiritual concepts in a concrete and easy-to-understand way. Jesus often used nature and everyday experiences to explain the principles of the kingdom of God. The parables were also a way of revealing the truth to those who were willing to listen and learn.