The Parables of Christ

When Christ walked this Earth, He did not have a teaching degree but He was known as teacher and we see throughout scripture just how significant of a teacher Christ was. His messages were simple enough for a child to understand them but each one had such a bigger meaning behind them. Each teaching is relevant to us, today, and holds great value in the lives we life and the country in which we reside. One of the most profound ways that Christ taught is with parables which have been described as an Earthly message with a Heavenly meaning.

Parables were important for Christ because they allowed Him to take a topic or situation that may have been difficult to understand and explain it through a story. These stories allowed Christ to cast alongside the topic with a story. His stories were significant and they were filled with much wisdom and knowledge. People may wonder why Christ would use such a method to get across His lessons and the reason is simple: we, as people, are very complicated creatures and while we are far advanced in many ways, we complicate a lot of things. Christ knew this and by telling parables, He was able to get across a complex lesson with a Heavenly story.

The stories are easy to remember and to retell. The figures are usually bold in character or overcome some type of obstacle that serves as inspiration for each of us. There came a certain point in His ministry while on Earth, which was very short to begin with, when Christ only told the parables to His disciples. The reason for this is others rejected Him and His message and we are told specifically to be doers of the word, not just hearers (James 1:22). This scenario reminds me of a riddle a friend asked me to explain to him once several years back: fear knocked at the door but faith answered and fear fled. The meaning of this is simple that with faith in Christ, you do not have to fear and this is similar to why Christ only told His disciples the parables.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

—Matthew 13:16-17

When Christ was asked why He spoke to them in parables, He explained “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath” (Matthew 13:11-12). The faith of the disciples to understand the bigger meaning but also, to accept and believe in its meaning was the difference. Many people had heard what Christ had taught them but not many had accepted it. Although it was there for them to take, many had rejected and refused the teachings. We all have eyes that we can see with, even the blind, and ears to hear, even the deaf, but if we are not willing to accept then we are only hearers of the word and will lack the spiritual discernment needed.

Our time here on Earth is short so we only have so much time to make our mark upon this world. Some people are able to do so in such a fashion where they leave their footprint on this Earth for the duration of this Earth as Jesus while others simply live and die. We were not put here to simply just live and die and while we may not leave our footprint on the Earth, we can be a difference maker in the lives of others and this, my friends, is how you leave your mark upon this Earth. Not everything has to be done with a grand gesture or an extreme entrance/exit for the moment to be remembered or thought of. Some of the best moments of my life have been those moments that were simple and easy to replicate but had the biggest meaning and this is true with Christ and His parables.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

—John 16:13