The parables of Jesus: their purpose, their meaning

Parables, especially those spoken by Jesus, are stories or illustrations that use objects, situations and so on that are common to humans to reveal important principles and information. Nelson's Illustrated Biblical Dictionary defines a parable as a short and simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, a religious principle or a moral lesson. I am a rhetorical figure in which the truth is illustrated by a comparison or exemplified from everyday experiences.

Some parables of Jesus are short, such as those labeled as the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44), the Great Pearl (verses 45 - 46) and the Net (verses 47 - 50). These and some others he provides are not such extensive moral stories, but are illustrations or rhetorical figures.

Although Christ is best known for using this teaching tool, he often appears in the Old Testament as well. For example, Nathan faced King David for the first time using a parable concerning a lamb for sheep to initially condemn him obliquely for committing adultery with Bathsheba and killing her husband Uriah the hittite to hide what he was doing (2 Samuel 12: 1 - 4).

By using experiences from the world to highlight spiritual or moral points, Jesus could make some of his teachings a little clearer and more vivid. For example, consider the very famous story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10). A Jewish law expert came to Christ and asked him what he had to do to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25).

After Jesus confirmed that he should love God with all his heart and neighbor as himself, the lawyer (who wanted to justify himself) asked who their neighbor was. The Lord responded by pronouncing the Samaritan parable to communicate that humans should have a basic concern for the well-being of all people and not just their family, friends or those who live nearby.

Should they evangelize?
Did Jesus use parables as another tool for preaching the gospel? Are they meant to give the masses the information necessary for salvation? When his disciples were rather perplexed about the meaning behind his story of the sower and the seed, they came to him privately for an explanation. His response was the following.

You have been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but otherwise it is given in parables, so that in seeing they CANNOT SEE, and in hearing they CANNOT UNDERSTAND (Luke 8:10, HBFV for everything)

The point mentioned above in Luke contradicts the common idea that Christ preached salvation so that everyone could understand and act during this age. Let's take a look at a slightly longer parallel explanation in Matthew 13 than the Lord said.

And his disciples went to him and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" And he answered them and said to them, “For it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, BUT IT WAS NOT GIVEN TO THEM.

And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: “In hearing you will listen and you will never understand; and seeing, you will see and not perceive in any way. . . ' (Matthew 13:10 - 11, 14.)

Reveal and hide
So does Jesus contradict himself? How can this teaching method teach and reveal principles but also hide deep truths? How do they teach important life lessons and HIDE the knowledge necessary for salvation? The answer is that God has incorporated two levels of meaning into these stories.

The first level is a basic, superficial (which many times can still be misinterpreted) understanding that the average unconverted person can understand apart from God. The second level, which is a deeper and deeper spiritual meaning that can be understood. only by those whose minds are open. Only those "to whom it has been given", in the sense that the Eternal is actively working, can understand the profound spiritual truths that the parables discuss.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, the basic meaning that most humans draw from this is that they should be merciful and compassionate towards people they do not know who are on their way through life. The secondary or deeper meaning given to those with whom God is working is that because he loves everyone unconditionally, believers must strive to do the same.

According to Jesus, Christians are not allowed the luxury of not worrying about the needs of others they don't know. Believers are called to be perfect, just as God the Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48, Luke 6:40, John 17:23).

Why did Jesus speak in parables? He used them as a means of communicating two different messages, to two very different groups of people (those who are not and those who convert), using only one technique.

The Lord spoke in parables to hide precious truths of the Kingdom of God from those who had not been called and converted in this present age (which contradicts the idea that it is now the only time people are saved). Only those who have a repentant heart, whose minds are open to the truth and with whom God is working, can understand the deep mysteries transmitted by the words of Jesus.