Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Parables: More than Stories

Jesus Parables are more than stories, they are like wrapped gifts.


Gift Box Decoration Made of Christmas Lights, Washington, USA by William Sutton
Gift Box Decoration Made of Christmas Lights, Washington, USA


The packaging of the story can either distract or captivate. But unless the package is opened, the gift itself remains unseen.

Likewise unless one seeks the core of the parable -- its truth and application -- the lessons will remain hidden. Yet when discovered, these lessons prove extremely valuable. The testimony of millions of changes lives over two thousand years attests to this fact.

When unwrapped, Jesus' stories include powerful multiple applications. The same parable can strike people in different ways.


For example:

  • The parable of the Soils (Matt. 13:1-23) may be "heard" by at least four distinct people depending on their identification with one of the soils.
  • The parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32) will affect a father in quite a different way than it does a rebellious younger son or a jealous older brother.

When Jesus taught in Jerusalem during His last week, His parables focused on the acceptance or rejection of Him.
  • This time even the priests and the Pharisees "perceived He was speaking of them." They were stung by Jesus' parables, and they despised Him and His message. But they were unwilling to give up their pride, learn at Jesus' feet, and seek the forgiveness they so desperately needed. They sensed they would not appreciate what they found if they unwrapped the parables, so they refused to seek the truth any further. In doing this, they perfectly conformed to Isaiah's description of a people with dull hearts, hardness of hearing, and closed eyes. These religious leaders who should have been leading the people into the truth were the very ones who were the most blind to it.
For Isaiah, the "dullness" or hardness of the human heart directly affects spiritual insight and understanding (Matt. 13:15).

People need to soften their hearts, humble themselves before God, and honestly seek the truth in order to find it.

14 comments:

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Beautiful. A wonderful post. Blessings Mary

Mimi said...

Thank you Mary Isabella, and thanks for stopping by again...
I am enjoying watching your story unfold on your blog...

nannykim said...

It is so very very hard to love and know people that are so hardened against the gospel when their needs are so great---it is amazing how blind we all are until Jesus opens our eyes and I am always surprised by the different ways He does this. Hey, how in the world do you get the printing below the picture in the header? My site only gives two options--on top of the picture or no writing.

SweetAnnee said...

I love how Jesus taught in parables...even
in these times..each story has the
same meaning ..and we must seek it out
for us..
thanks for this post..
deena

Hailey's Beats and Bits said...

hi mimi! you are an inspiring blogger, indeed. you enlighten more people. mwahhh!

Annie said...

Thank You for such a wonderful post, I really enjoyed reading it!

Mimi said...

Nannykim
yes it is amazing how simple things become when we just open our eyes to Jesus...
In order to have writing and a picture you have to set up additional widgets for your header... you can do it for your header... and footer... and even for your posts...
I put a note on your comments for todays post... I was going to EMail you but you don't have your E-mail address listed... if what I said doesn't make sense... E-Mail me I will write it down have my daughter (who is really the smart one) check it before I E-Mail it back to you...
It's kind of like the blind leading the blind... but we have to help each other don't we...
I hope I will be able to help you...

Mimi said...

Deena,
If we would just read the parables today we would find things from Jesus own words to help up in the day to day problems we face.. because each story tells every one of us something different...

Mimi said...

Hailey,
you leave me such sweet comments...
tell me what does mwahhh mean?
I know it has a special meaning... because you have signed a comment to me a couple of times...with it...

Mimi said...

Annie,
thank you for your sweet comment,
I am fascinated with your blog ... and I will continue to visit you often
Mimi

Saija said...

For Isaiah, the "dullness" or hardness of the human heart directly affects spiritual insight and understanding.

amen to that ... to know Him, we need to get close enough to unwrap the presents He so willingly gives ...

blessings on ya!

Mimi said...

Saija,
You are so right... and we cannot unwrap the gift until we are close enough to touch him so he can give us the gift...
thank you dear Saija for your comments...

Cathy said...

Mimi, Yes, Jesus does have to open our eyes. He said: Mr 4:11 -
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
I love your pretty picture and the opening of gifts comparison to understanding parables.

Sharon said...

Yes, Jesus' Parables are true treasures. How sweet it is when He opens the eyes of our hearts.