Michlaude Discipleship Project

Part 3: How Jesus Teaches

Why Parables? Why Not Just Explain Directly?

Two reasons.

1. To Reveal Truth to Those Who Want It

Why do you speak to them in parables?

— Matthew 13:10 (NET)

Jesus answered: "He replied, 'You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but they have not.'" Parables reward the seeker. If you're hungry for truth, you'll press in, ask questions, meditate, pray. The meaning will be revealed.

So with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear. He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.

— Mark 4:33–34 (NET)

2. To Conceal Truth from Those Who Reject It

For this reason I speak to them in parables: Although they see they do not see, and although they hear they do not hear nor do they understand. And concerning them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: 'You will listen carefully yet will never understand, you will look closely yet will never comprehend. For the heart of this people has become dull; they are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'

— Matthew 13:13–15 (NET)

Hard hearts get hard parables. If you're determined not to see, the parable becomes a veil. You hear a nice story and miss the point entirely. But if you're seeking, the parable becomes a window. You see through the earthly image to the spiritual reality.

How to Read the Parables

As you read each parable, ask:

  1. What does this reveal about God's kingdom? (How does it work? What are the rules? What's valued?)
  2. What does this reveal about God Himself? (His character, His priorities, His heart)
  3. What does this demand of me? (How must I change? What must I do? What sin must I kill?)
  4. What warning does this contain? (Many parables end with judgment — don't miss that)

And always remember: the Teacher is God. These aren't suggestions. They're authoritative revelation from the King Himself.