Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables?

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:29:59 +0000

Jesus often spoke in parables to illustrate what the Kingdom of God would be like? Why did Jesus speak in parables rather than just speaking more directly about the Kingdom of God? Did he speak in parables so that the people would better understand what he meant or did he have another reason?

The Disciples Ask Jesus Why He Spoke in Parables

After Jesus had spoken many things to the multitudes in parables. One of his parables was the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:2-3). The disciples were curious about why Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables. So the disciples asked him directly why he spoke in parables as recorded in Matthew 13:10:

“10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” (KJV)

Jesus Explains Why He Spoke in Parables

Here is how Jesus answered them as recorded in Matthew 13:11-15:

“11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” (KJV)

Yes, Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes not to make his teaching easier to understand. He spoke to the multitudes in parables so that the multitudes would not understand because of the hardness of their hearts. It was not given to the multitudes to understand, so Jesus did not intend to make his meaning clear to them. He was not begging them to believe on him and to understand his message. In fact, he deliberately hid his meaning from the multitudes so that they would not be converted.

The Disciples Were to Understand

However, Jesus wanted his disciples to understand as recorded in Matthew 13:16-17:

“16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

17For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” (KJV)

Jesus explained the meaning of the parables to his disciples. They had a willing heart; they were eager to learn more about the Kingdom of God.

Blindness to be Removed in the Kingdom of God

God is fair. Although he has allowed Satan the devil to deceive the whole world (Revelation 12:9), in the Kingdom of God, the blindness will be removed. The knowledge of God’s way will cover the earth even as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9). At that time, everyone will know God and understand his way (Hebrews 8:11).

Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus Christ spoke in parables to confuse what he meant to most people. He explained the clear meaning of the parables to his disciples. It was not the time for the multitudes to be called to salvation. They were blind to the truth of God. In the Kingdom of God, the blindness will be removed. Everyone who has not previously had a chance for salvation will have an opportunity to know God and follow him. That is good news.
wine reviews

5 Ways to Really Tell If You’re Called As a Prophet!

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:25:24 +0000

There are so many myths about, relating to “prophesying.” Many are apparently called as a type of divine visionary: prophet–as the times accord, we’re held to see and espouse truth–at times to an overburdening cost which we’d have never predicted. Such is life. But, what is it that makes us living day prophets? Well, there are many things we can learn about it from looking at the prophets of the Old Testament.

1. A Heart Devoted, Fundamentally, to God

Nothing budges unless we first approach the throne of grace appropriately. The prophets of old “loved the Lord, and therefore, they loved his word and ways.”[1] And this is a critical distinction if we read the meaning behind these eleven quoted words, particularly ‘his word and way.’ We can’t sugar-coat our living realities. Devotion to God is total, enthusiastic, willing acceptance of all things, both good and bad.

2. Strong Sense of Calling

No matter our personal inclination for the ministry of truth, this is totally God-initiated and God-selected. It’s not something we can pretend about. There’s no room for square pegs in round holes in doing God’s work; we’re either called or we’re not.

3. Willingness in the Role of Messenger

There are 350 references to, ‘This is what the LORD says,’ in the Bible.[2] We deliver not our own messages, but God’s.

4. Functioning as Forth-teller & Foreteller

Critically, we fit the preponderance of God’s Word and truth to our generation–pointing to evils and injustices and calling people to repent. God’s revealed truth never changes; nor do the times, actually. Only the characters and the context do; and so the prophet must make their forth-telling contemporarily relevant.

Not every contemporary prophet can or readily does see visions of the future, or accurately, though it appears the prevalent theme of the Old Testament Prophets. These foretellers spoke repeatedly of judgment and restoration, in ways to motivate that then-present generation to turn and believe in the one and only living God.

5. The Practical Application of Creativity and Innovation

Of all the prophets we cast our eye over, Ezekiel must have been the weirdest. But, he managed better than most to make his God-given statements of prophesy innovative to say the least. Whether it is parables, song or even sarcasm, prophets use practically creative means to win the attention of those they must speak to.

And finally…

It needs to be said that a vast number of false prophets masquerade as God’s chosen. The key tests are these five factors above. God alone anoints. And the people acquiesce; but at times after the death of the prophet.

© S. J. Wickham, 2009.

ENDNOTES:

[1] Bill T. Arnold & Bryan E. Beyer, Encountering the Old Testament – A Christian Survey (Encountering Biblical Studies series) (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1999), p. 342.

[2] Arnold & Beyer, Ibid, p. 343.
finance blog

Old Testament and the Middle East » Heart

Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables?

5 Ways to Really Tell If You’re Called As a Prophet!