Crumbs 90
Parables
Scripture 4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”
9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,
“‘they
may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
and
ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn
and be forgiven!’ my
brothers!
Crumbs Why did Jesus use Parables? We learn those truths best that we discover for ourselves or those to which the Lord has specifically opened our hearts. The Lord is revealing spiritual truths to carnal hearts. The word “parable” contains the root “ para” as in parallel or Paraclete. It means alongside. In the parables spiritual truth are laid alongside homely everyday truths. As we listen to the parables we struggle to find their meaning and intent. Through our struggles and by His grace the Spirit leads us to a deeper understanding.
The use of Isaiah 6:9-10 is unexpected. Greater minds than mine have striven over it. I will make a few observation and pose more questions.
Does God who loves the whole world want to avoid any coming to the truth? With Matthew 5:29 the plucking out of offending eyes is explained as an exaggeration. I have heard preachers say it was acceptable at the time and place. Is our Lord to be deprived of the use of irony by His later commentators? He is hammering against the hard shells of prejudice of the Pharisees’ traditions and assumptions.
Finally this quotation reveals the need for divine intervention. Faith is a miracle. Faith is a gift. We must thank God for it.
Questions
Has our Lord’s use of parables applications for today’s preachers ?
Which parable has spoken to you ?
Have experiences and happenings around you led you to spiritual truths?
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