Why did Jesus use parables?

Jesus tells the Parable of the Soils (Matt 13) about a sower sowing seed and its propensity to come up based on the condition of the soil where the seed fell.

The disciples ask Jesus why He speaks in parables and He explains that it has been given to them to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but it has not been given to others (Matt 14:10-11). Jesus explains this fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy —

“Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.” (Matt 13:14-15)

Jesus is referring to Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 6:9-12. Isaiah had become weary because the more he preached the less the people responded.

The hearts of the people had grown dull. Many didn’t want to turn from their wicked ways when Isaiah preached. Many refused when Jesus walked the earth, and still many refuse Him today.

But!! But!!!
Thank the Lord,
Jesus goes on to say—

“But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Matt 13:16-17)

Jesus came and revealed Himself to ordinary people with humble hearts! They were far from perfect, but they had hearts longing to see Him.

We are blessed because Jesus is helping us to SEE Him as well! He has given us the Word and the Holy Spirit to help us walk out our faith and live in peace and freedom.

THIS is no small thing!

So, let those who have ears to hear and eyes to see, slow down and listen to what our Father is saying. Let that seed fall on good soil and produce a harvest—

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matt 13:18-23)

And from this, may we be more determined to hold tight when troubles come. May we be careful to not get distracted by the cares of this world or the deceitfulness of riches. May our hearts be that good ground where the Word of God sinks deep, is nurtured, and grows to yield a harvest!

Yes, we live in difficult days, but God has us! He is speaking and He is at work bringing a harvest!

readMatthew

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