This document discusses Jesus' use of parables in his teachings. It explains that parables are stories that convey two levels of meaning and were a popular way for rabbis to engage audiences. The document notes that after some rejected Jesus as the Messiah, he began teaching in parables so that those who sought God would understand while others would not. It says parables have remained a timeless teaching method due to their ability to convey concepts across cultures and eras. The document advises reading Jesus' parables in context to gain a broader understanding beyond just the storyline.

1. Parables – 19th
August2016
“I will open my mouthin parables, I will utter thingshiddensince the creation ofthe
world.”(Matthew13:35).
A parable isa comparisonof two things,oftendone throughastorythat has twomeanings. JesusChrist
didmuch of histeachinginparables.These talesof familiarcharactersandactivitieswere apopularway
for ancientrabbis toholdan audience'sattentionwhileillustratinganimportantmoral point.Parables
appearin boththe Oldand NewTestamentsbutare more easilyrecognizable inthe ministryof Jesus.
AftermanyrejectedhimasMessiah,Jesusturnedtoparables,explainingtohisdisciplesin Matthew
13:10-17 that those whosoughtGod wouldgetthe deepermeaning,whilethe truthwouldbe hidden
fromunbelievers. Wecan learn from Matthew 13:13-14, Thisis why I speak to them in parables:
“Thoughseeing,they do not see; thoughhearing,they do not hear or understand.14
Inthemis fulfilled
the prophecy of Isaiah:“‘Youwill beever hearing butnever understanding; youwill be ever seeingbut
never perceiving”.
Jesuswasspeakingalanguage thatall Jewscouldunderstand,butwithanemphasisonattitudes rather
than the outwardappearancesthatthe Phariseesfocusedon.We canlearnthat Jesussaid: “
Stop
judgingbymere appearances,but insteadjudge correctly.” (John7:24). Parablesalsohave an
emotional impactthatmakesthemmore meaningful andmemorable to those whoare soft of heart.At
the same time,the parablesof Jesusoftentimesremainedamysterytothose withahardenedheart
because parablesrequire the listenerstobe self-critical andputthemselvesinthe appropriateplace in
the story.The resultwasthat the Phariseeswould “beeverhearing,but never understanding;be ever
seeing,but never perceiving” (Isaiah6:9). We can alsolearn Matthew13:35 “Iwill open my mouthin
parables, I will utter thingshiddensince the creation of the world.”
By usingparables,the teachingof Jesusremainstimelessdespite mostchangesinculture,time,and
technology.Forexample,theseparablesconveycommonly misunderstoodconceptslike gentleness,
concern,pride andothers…But when we readthe parablesthat Jesusused,the underlyingconcept can
be understoodbyus,eventhoughthe storyis overtwothousandyearsold.InJewishculture character
traitsare oftendescribedinrelationtoobjectsthatare universallyrecognizedlikethe regularityof the
sunor the refreshingnature of rain.Thisalsoexplainswhypoetryis acommonmode of language used
inthe Bible.Inthe case of parablesspecifically,the elementsmentionedinthemare usually
representationsof somethingelse,justasina metaphor.However,anoveremphasisonaparticular
detail ina parable tendstoleadto interpretive errors. WhenreadingJesus’ parables,repetitions,
patterns,or changeswill oftenhelpusinidentifyingwhenwe shouldfocusonaparticulardetail.
By identifyingthingsincommoninthe parables,we cangaincontextto helpusunderstandthe
significance of otherwisesubtleelementsinthe story.Asthe oldsaying“Propercontextcoversa
multitude of interpretive errors.” Thereforewe canlearnof many teachingsthatcan be derivedthrough
Jesus’ parableswhichshouldbe readandstudiedinabroadercontextbeyondthe storyline,whichwill
broadenour understandingof whatJesuswantedtoconveytoHisfollowersthen,aswell asChristians
inthe world today.