Parables

Parables are simple and vivid stories that convey spiritual or moral lessons. Jesus used parables to teach profound truths about human nature and the Kingdom of God. Parables present earthly stories with heavenly meaning.

The parables of Jesus were memorable and relatable, drawing on everyday life situations that His audience could easily understand. He spoke of farmers sowing seeds, a lost sheep and hidden treasures to illustrate deeper spiritual realities. These stories often featured common people or animals, making them accessible to ordinary people—whether peasants, fishermen, or religious leaders. There were several reasons why Jesus used parables:

A. To Reveal Truth: Parables were a way for Jesus to reveal profound truths about His Kingdom in a manner that engaged His listeners’ hearts and minds. For those open to hearing his message, parables served as a means of understanding deeper spiritual insights. Jesus often uses objects in nature as examples of his own nature, like the mustard seed to show how His Kingdom starts small but grows and influences everything.

B. To Conceal Truth from the Unwilling: Jesus also used parables to hide spiritual truths from those who were spiritually closed or hostile. Jesus explains that He spoke in parables to reveal truth to those with a genuine desire to understand, while concealing it from those who rejected His message. Parables acted as a kind of spiritual filter, revealing God’s message to those with open hearts and obscuring it for those who were resistant.

C. To Stimulate Reflection and Discussion: Parables encouraged listeners to think deeply, reflect on their lives, and discuss the meanings of the stories. They often left the audience with questions, prompting personal introspection and conversation about spiritual matters. Ultimately, Jesus used parables to invite people into a deeper relationship with God. The first parable of Jesus included in this collection is of “The Lost Sheep”.

Movie Scene of Jesus telling Parables

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