“I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.”
John 16:25-27 NLT
Why did Jesus use parables or figurative language when He spoke to those around Him? Apart from the fact that this was a common form of communication in those days, and has been used in one form or another ever since, the use of illustrations in the way that Jesus did somehow made events and situations easier to remember. Even humorous examples today, using figurative language, like, “That comment landed like a lead balloon” or “He’s as useful as a chocolate teapot” somehow convey a meaning far beyond what would otherwise be recorded as “That was an inappropriate comment”, or “He’s useless”. A good example in book form is The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, a book rich in hidden meanings and allegorical language.
Jesus often used parables to illustrate a point that He was making. Although there are about thirty five parables in the Gospels, a good example is the Parable of the Soils (or Sower), that we find in Matthew 13. Jesus was surrounded by a crowd of people so He borrowed a boat and taught the people who were standing on the shore. In Matthew 13:3, we read, “He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds“. And He ended the parable, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand” (Matthew 13:9). And that really illustrates the point of figurative language and messages in the form of parables. Those with spiritual “ears” would understand, but those who had little interest or just didn’t “get it” would miss the point.
The disciples asked Jesus why He used parables and we find His answer in Matthew 13:11-12, “He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them“. Imagine today, if we asked someone to read the Parable of the Soils, someone who had had no previous church or Biblical exposure and was without any understanding of spiritual matters. How would they respond? Some would understand but many wouldn’t. There are sadly many around us in our societies who lack spiritual ears, so what would they make of this Parable? If they have the listening ears that Jesus referred to then they would understand. The Holy Spirit works in amazing and enlightening ways, but many would cast aside what they had read and instead would move on to deal with, what they would consider, more important matters.
Jesus had used figurative language to describe His person and work. Examples would include His seven “I Am” statements comparing Himself to bread, light, a gate, a shepherd, resurrection and life, the way, the truth and the life and a vine. These figures of speech were hard for the disciples to understand while Jesus was with them. In Mark 4, Jesus quoted a verse from Isaiah 6:9-10, “And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing“.
But although puzzled, even confused, at the time, there was going to come a time when the disciples would understand these allegories, and the figurative language. This time arrived following His death, burial and resurrection and with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Today, we pilgrims are those who understand the parables because we have Holy Spirit within us, the One who leads us into all truth. So before we reach for the keyboard so that we can consult Mr Google, instead we should go to the Source of the parables Himself, our Lord and Master Jesus.
Dear Father God, the Source of all truth. Through Jesus You alone are the One who can bring spiritual light into our secular world. We are so grateful. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 