PARABLES!

What is a parable?
The word “parable” means “Likeness”; which is a comparison of two objects for a purpose of teaching. Most often it’s a story told to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. It brings a hard to understand story or teaching, from the angle of a known and understood story; to make the teaching clearly understood.
It can also be used to bring or put a covering over a matter so that the information so contained would not fall into the hands of wrong people.
While Jesus did not invent parable, it is significant to know that He is the only one that used them in the New Testament. At one time in His ministry, it was His only method of speaking to the masses.
“All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them.” – Matt 13:34 (KJV)
It was such that His disciples asked Him why He did this.
“And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” – Matt 13:10 (KJV)
His reply reveals the value of this method of instruction. It was an effective method of revealing Truth to the spiritual and ready mind and at the same time, concealing the same Truth from others.
“He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” – Matt 13:11 (KJV)
One interesting thing to note here is when He began this method of teaching.
He began to use this method of teaching only after He had been rejected. Those who rejected Him were not to know the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”.
“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” – Luke 10:21 (KJV)
Do you understand His parables? Or, are you an outsider within? Strive to be in Him.