Story Time (Reason for the parables)

Many pastors have preached on the parables of Jesus

Many have listened to the parables.

some of you may even can quote some of them.

But lets do something at the start of this 10 part series. Lets get back to the basics.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Parable

A story or saying that illustrates a truth using comparison, hyperbole, or simile.

Jesus told stories of God and Heaven by comparing it to the lives of the people around him.

To understand the parable we have to understand the people that Jesus was trying to reach.

Fisherman, farmers, teachers, Poor, Rich, educated and uneducated

Jesus uses what they know to teach them what He knows.

Matthew 13:10–17 (ESV)

After Teaching the first Parable about farming, the disciples come to Jesus

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”

They didn't get it. They didn’t understand. So They asked

Jesus answers them.

We Know Something That The World Does Not.

11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

God adds to the ones that know.

12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

People Choose To Be Closed off Of God

13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “ ‘

 “You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and with their ears they can barely hear,

and their eyes they have closed,

lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

Blessed are those who are Open to God

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.