1.Thinking About Parables.
Matt.13:10-17
Then the disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
'You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
This people's heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn
and I would heal them.'
But blessed are your eyes, for they see. and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and the righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."
The created world and its interpretation
Unaccountable dramas are being played every day and every year by various kinds of created beings in this world. The Bible was given to mankind to tell the meaning of the dramas and the purpose of His creation.. Wise people come to the Bible and then to the Lord Jesus seeking the Truth (Jn3:21). On the other hand foolish ones see the same things and say there is no God in the world (Ps14:1).
The Greek word "paraboleh" standing for parable means something put side by side to be compared. Parables are short stories taken from every day life hiding the secret of Heaven in itself.
The purpose of Jesus' parable
The first aim of His parables is to conceal the secret of Heaven from arrogant people, that is, the scribes and Pharisees and to shut them out of Heaven.
The next intention is to reveal the true meaning of them to His disciples to be saved. His disciples were humble enough to come to Him to ask the meanings and Jesus loved them (Lk8:9).
The theme of His parables
The theme of His preaching on the earth was the kingdom of God, that is, Heaven and the theme of His parables was the same. Parables, Bible scholars say, cover one third of Jesus' preachings.
The secret of His parables was what ancient saints desired earnestly to hear and were not granted. If you read these parables, believe in Jesus and welcome Him and His kingdom into your heart, you are surely one of the blessed people whom Jesus blesses through the Bible.
16 April 2006 Published
URL http://31church.net
