Warren W. Wiersbe explains, “The parables are not bedtime stories to put us to sleep, but bugle calls to wake us up!” There are three elements of the parables of Jesus.

First, there is the appealing element of the parables of Jesus. Matthew 13:3a reads, “Then He spoke many things to them in parables...” Ivor Powell comments, “Suddenly the style of Christ’s teaching changed; He began to express His messages in word pictures... Stories are always acceptable, and sometimes they brighten sermons immeasurably. An illustration in a speech is what windows are to a house. Jesus was a master of the art of telling stories, and all preachers should learn from His example.” Matthew records Jesus’ parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3b-9).

Second, there is the concealing element of the parables of Jesus. Matthew 13:10-15 reads, “And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ He answered and said to them, ‘Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” Ezekiel 12:1-2 reads, “Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying: ‘Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.’” You must repent of rebellion to understand the meaning of parables.

Third, there is the revealing element of the parables of Jesus. Matthew 13:16-17, 34-35 reads, “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it... All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.’”
May you properly perceive the purpose of parables.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.