while today

Why did Jesus speak in parables?  This is a good question and one that the disciples of Jesus also pondered.  “The disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10 NASB95) Jesus’ answer is very interesting.  “Jesus answered them, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.  For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.’” (Matthew 13:11-12 NASB95)  Luke reports Jesus’ answer in this way: “…To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” (Luke 8:10 NASB95)

Most people think that Jesus spoke in parables in order to make things clearer for the listeners.  This is only part of the reason.  It is true that the parables help us, as disciples of Jesus, to more clearly understand and retain His teaching.  When we think about the parable of the sower, or the parable of the talents, or the parable of the prodigal son, we immediately remember the deep spiritual meaning that lies beneath the simple stories.

But there is another important reason that Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.  It wasn’t so that the message would be clarified but obscured!  Read the passages above again.  Jesus said that some have been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom, and some have not.  Therefore, He spoke in parables so that while seeing and hearing, they will not be able to understand.  This leads us to another important question:  To whom does God grant understanding, and from whom does He withhold it?  And why? 

There is a warning here from Jesus that we all need to heed today.  Jesus goes on in Luke 8 to say this: “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away.” (Luke 8:18 NASB95) Take care how you listen!  Some will encounter the word of God and care little about it.  They will hear the words of God, but they do not care to really listen carefully.  These will not progress any farther in their spiritual journey.  In fact, it is these who will go backwards spiritually, for whatever he thinks he has shall be taken away.  But to those who love the word of God, who want to know more, who want to apply it to their lives—to them God will grant more spiritual understanding.  They will move forward with God because they take care how they listen!  May each of us approach God today with a heart to hear His word.

—Scott Colvin