Musick-al note # 148
What is a parable and why did Jesus use them in speaking to the Pharisees, Scribes and other Jews? A Parable is an earthly story told to illustrate a spiritual truth. The meaning of the word is “to lay alongside for comparison”. Jesus used many stories from the daily lives of the people to illustrate truths which the Father desired that man should know. However many of the parables Jesus had to explain their true meaning for even His disciples did not understand all of them until He revealed their meaning. Jesus said that the disciples should know the meaning of the parables but others would not understand even though they heard the same words. Jesus’ words indicate that the disciples should know the meaning when he said, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should be converted and their sins be forgiven them.” (Mark 4:10-13).
Apparently the failure of the Pharisees to see and understand was caused by a blindness that kept them from really knowing God’s truths. Paul said such blindness is caused by Satan “But if our gospel is hidden, it is hidden to those who are lost: whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) Jesus spoke so that man could understand the will of God. Satan has blinded some so that they cannot see and thus be lost.
We should be studying the Word of God with a discerning mind so that we may know the God’s Word and know when any man’s teaching departs from His truth. But to only know the difference is not enough. We must not blindly follow man’s teaching but we must follow the revealed Word to know we follow His Son, Jesus (John 20:30-31). I have heard that if a lie is told many times, people would believe it to be true. This seems to be true in religious matters because the lies of false teachers are repeated constantly (Revelation 12:15).Be careful what and how you hear (John 8:43-47, Luke 8:10-18), for if you listen to truth, you will believe truth but if you listen to lies, you will believe them. Study the Word and follow God by obedience to His Word..
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 