The Good Samaritan
“So, why did Jesus always speak in parables? Earlier, someone asked me this question. I’ve decided to write a blog post about it.
Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using parables. This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:
“I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world” (from psalm 78: 2) Matthew 13:34
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. Jesus replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:
‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’ (from Isaiah 6: 9-10) Luke 8: 9-10
God told Isaiah that the people would listen but not learn because of their hardness of hearts. So why would God send Isaiah if He already knew the people wouldn’t listen? Although the nation itself wouldn’t repent, and would come under judgment, some individuals would listen. I believe just having that tidbit of knowledge is critical to understanding why Jesus spoke in parables-almost riddles.
There are many who have rejected God so much that their hearts are hardened. With each rejection, comes more callousness, to where they can’t hear God at all anymore. So sad. I’ve been asked many times how I can read and really understand the Bible. Right there is an opening. I tell them that this is what Jesus says…
“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” Luke 8: 18 (NLT)
Praise Jesus! He always has a way of dealing with spiritual things by relating it all to earthly things; because earthly things are what we understand. What mercy!