The Purpose of Parables

The Lord said, quoting the psalmist, that he would open his mouth in parables, and declare things hidden from the foundation of the world (Matt. 13:34-35). This is, undoubtedly, the fundamental objective of parables: to reveal in a simple way a deep spiritual truth that is difficult to explain.

The parable is a pedagogical method that the Lord used wonderfully. The love of the Father, the purpose of God, the end of the just and the unjust, the effects of the gospel, etc., all these and many other subjects were illuminated through them. But the day came when the Jews began to reject the Lord, and to seek how to hunt Him down in some word. Then the purpose of the parables changed.

"Why speakest thou unto them in parables?", his disciples asked him at that time. And he answered: "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given". Strange thing is this! "To them it is not given". How is it that God hides his truth?

The man who loves a lie, knowing it to be a lie, voluntarily excludes himself from the truth; he closes the way for the light of God to shine in his heart. Then, God leaves him in his stubbornness, abandoned to the vanity of his thoughts. The parables not only explain and clarify, they also obscure and hide the truth from the blinded eyes of the ungodly.

All men have, at some time in their lives, a visitation from God, which enables them to know the truth. It may be only a glimmer of light, but it will be clear enough to allow a turning to the truth of God. However, once the light is rejected, darkness can quickly take hold of the soul.

What do the parables do in you, enlighten you or leave you as dark as before? Oh, perhaps that is the sign God sends you to let you know you are in danger, and turn to him!

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