Parables of Jesus
Purpose of Parables
Parables of Jesus: Purpose of Parables. In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Lord Jesus Christ quoted from Isaiah 6:9 and 10.
9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people:
‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
10 “Make the heart of this people dull,
And their ears heavy,
And shut their eyes;
Lest they see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And return and be healed.”
Isaiah 6:9-10, NKJV
Parables of Jesus
Purpose of Parables
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Lord Jesus Christ quoted from Isaiah 6:9 and 10. As we continue with the Words of Christ series, we will be doing a section on the Parables of Jesus. Jesus spoke a series of parables or stories that each had a specific meaning. However, that meaning was not clearly understood by all.
When Jesus spoke the Parable of the Sower to his disciples, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" (Matthew 13:10)
Jesus answered in this way.
11 ... "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand."
Matthew 13:11-13, NKJV
The words of Jesus were difficult for the disciples to understand. Indeed, these words are not easy for us to understand in this, the 21st Century, as well.
We grapple with the whole concept of God choosing His children before the foundation of the world. We argue, how can this be when the Bible says that the day of salvation is for all men? Do not all men have the opportunity to choose Christ?
Scholars have argued this through the ages and will continue to do so until the Lord Jesus returns. While these concepts may be hard for us to understand, in heaven we will no longer see through a glass darkly, but will see the Lord Jesus face to face, and we will perfectly understand these teachings.
Jesus was telling the disciples that these parables were only meant for some to understand. Those appointed to understand would clearly comprehend the meaning, but those who were not to understand would not comprehend the meanings of these parables.
Even in our day, we realize that it is the Holy Spirit, living within our hearts, Who teaches the truths of the Bible to us. Those who are not believers read the Bible but do not understand what it says. Indeed, the Word of God is foolishness to them.
We, as believers in Christ, need to pray for our unbelieving family members, friends, and neighbors, that God would open their eyes to see the truths of Gods Word and open their ears to hear and understand.
As we work through the parables of Jesus, let us pray that we will have eyes to see and ears to hear. The Lord Jesus, through these parables, gives us a greater understanding of what it really means to be a child of God.
What an amazing God we serve. He has saved us, He keeps us, and He teaches the truths of His Word. By His grace, we live with great peace, joy, and contentment regardless of the turmoils of this world which daily surround us.
Devotional Reflections from the Bible
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