Why did Jesus teach in parables?
Exploring how parables illustrate mercy and teach us to go above and beyond what is expected. If, that is, we’re willing to listen.
The Prodigal Son. The Good Samaritan. The house built upon the rocks. These stories are familiar to anyone who is familiar with the Gospels, the part of the Bible that tells of Jesus’ life on Earth. In fact, even many who do not know the Bible and have never read it likely recognize these stories.
Collectively, these stories are known as parables, and Jesus used them extensively throughout His ministry to illustrate His points. He also used parables to help describe the nearly indescribable, or to give an example of how one who was abiding by His commands might behave. Oftentimes, these stories left listeners amazed and speechless. Usually, this was because of the profound meaning they were able to take away from what Jesus had taught.
Sometimes, though, they were simply befuddled.
A popular example of this is found in Mark 4, where Jesus tells a parable about a farmer sowing seeds. Some of the seeds never take root, some result in a crop that springs up but quickly dies in the heat of the day, some are eaten by birds, and some take root and produce a bountiful crop.
