1. what is a parable?
When Jesus
teaches he always uses parables (Mark 4:33-34).The activity of teaching in parables
is an important part of Jesus ministry. But what is a parables? Some of the
parables are short proverbs (such as Mark 2:27,
19,21,22, 7:15) and some are long stories (such as Mark 4:1-9,
12:1-9). Many believers think that a parables is a simple story and that
the meaning of a parables is easy to understand. By using parables Jesus makes
hid teaching clear they say. But let us consider these other four questions.
2.
Is it easy in fact to understand the meaning of
the parables?
Certainly Jesus
parables are simple stories but it is not easy to understand the meaning. For
example, what is the meaning of the seed growing secretly (Mark 4:26-29)? "The kingdom of God is like…." Verse 26.
But like what? Like the seed? Like the process of growing in secret? Like the harvest? What is the meaning? Is it
the contrast between present and future? Is it the contrast between the fact
that we cannot make the seed grow and the fact that the seed will grow and
produce a harvest? Is the meaning that the kingdom of God will certainly grow.
Which of interpretation is correct? From this example we can see that it is not
easy to interpret the parables.
3. What responses do people show when they hear
Jesus Parables?
After Jesus has
taught in parables he says "He who has a hearing ear let him hear" (Mark 4:9, 23, 7:16). Many do
not have a hearing ear. They hear the parables but they do not understand the
meaning and they do not want to understand. Others though not understanding the
meaning want to understand. They ask Jesus and discover the meaning (Mark 4:10-11,
7:17). Generally the disciples also do not understand but they ask Jesus
(Mark
4:10, 7:17-18). Others by not asking remain "outside" (Mark 4:11).
4.
What is Jesus purpose in teaching in parables?
Jesus purpose
is to reveal the truth about the kingdom of God. To those who want to learn the
truth the parables reveal it, but they must ask. Then it was necessary to ask
Jesus. Now we must ask the Holy Spirit.
But Jesus knows
that not everyone is interested in learning the truth. Many only want to see
miracles but they do not want to learn about God. To such people a parable is
only a story. On one occasion Jesus told the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32).
We know that this parable teaches about God's great love and grace but
many of those listening to Jesus this parable is only a story about a father
and his two sons. They hear the parable but do not understand the meaning.
Jesus parables hide the truth from such hearers.
5. In that case why does Jesus not teach in plain
language?
Why does Jesus
use parables? Did Jesus come into this world to hide the truth? The parables do
indeed hide the truth from some but it is not Jesus purpose to hide the truth. To others the
parables reveal the truth. To those who want to know the truth the parables
make the truth clear but from those who do not want to know the truth the
parables hide the truth. Through Jesus parables people can discover the truth
but he does not compel people to accept the truth. A parables is a test. Does a
person want to know the truth or not? In order to obtain the answer to this
question Jesus teaches in parables.
Quiz
True or False?
1.
Most
people easily understood Jesus parables
2.
When
Jesus taught he always used parables.
3.
Many
heard but did not truly understand Jesus parables.
4.
Only
Jesus twelve disciples asked about the parables.
5.
By
using parables Jesus revealed the truth.
6.
By
using parables Jesus hid the truth.
7.
By
using parables Jesus wanted to hide the truth.
8.
Only
with spiritual insight is it possible to understand the meaning of Jesus
parables.
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