WHY PARABLES?

Why did Jesus teach in parables? I suspect there are several reasons. Let’s consider five.

Parables were memorable. In Jesus’ day, and in ours, the story of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan were forever etched into our memory banks. Jesus told these stories knowing that His followers would meditate upon their truths and share those truths with others.

Parables were relatable. Jesus’ audiences were farmers and fishermen, shepherds and servants, so they understood His stories. Every shepherd had lost a sheep, and every farmer fought against the perennial plague of thorns and thistles. If Jesus were telling parables today, He might talk about little league baseball, shopping at Wal-Mart, or mowing the lawn. Who knows? But, we know this… if Jesus told a story today, we’d be able to relate.

Parables were engaging, impactful, convincing, and convicting.

Parables reveal and conceal. For His followers, the parables revealed the truth. To those who opposed Jesus, His parables concealed the truth. They didn’t understand. To them, the parables seemed like fairy tales and fables without real meaning. “The secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them”(Matthew 13:11).

And lastly, Jesus taught “that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled” (Matthew 13:35). The Psalmist foresaw the Messiah’s methods. “I will open my mouth in a parable” (Psalm 78:2, ESV). Jesus taught in parables to fulfill the Old Testament promise.

A final thought… Can you imagine the conversations in the pre-creation council chambers of Heaven? “Let’s tell them a story about a priceless pearl… a lost lamb… a tiny mustard seed…”

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).