Parables

The Form of Parables

We were investigating the parable of the sower on Wednesday evening, from Luke 8. There were a couple of definitions of what a parable is: "An earthly story with a heavenly meaning", "A common story with spiritual insight", and "a fictitious story with a moral." All of these help explain what parables are. Beyond the definitions is the reason Jesus used them while he taught. His explanation comes from Isaiah 6:9, which Jesus quotes, "Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand" (Luke 8:10). Let's consider this for a moment.

Have you ever had the experience of witnessing something and failed to grasp the impact of it? Perhaps, like me, you've heard a joke and just didn't get it. Even though all the necessary information was presented, there just didn't seem to be any point to the joke. That's the way many of Jesus' parables were received. Many people just didn't get them.

Look again at the sower parable. What Jesus said, as part of his teaching, could have been received as a report on a regular activity. A man went out to plant some seeds; he lost some on the path, some landed on stones, some among thorns, and some actually made it to the field and produced a hundredfold crop. That sort of thing happened everyday.

A question that I posed at the Bible study was, "If that's all you heard, would you gain any spiritual lesson from that by itself?" It may be difficult to consider this since we know the interpretation Jesus gave, but be honest in your meditation. I, for one, am glad Jesus explained it because I'm sure I wouldn't have come up with the same application. This is where it becomes serious (for me at least), because Jesus said "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Luke 8:8). Do I have, I wonder, ears to hear? I don't dwell on that too much because the disciples didn't get it either. They asked Jesus to explain it. I'm thankful he did! His explanation tells me that there are spiritual "lessons" happening all the time. Can you see them? That's what I think are "eyes to see and ears to hear".

Part of our discussion at the Bible study revolved around parables from our daily life. You may have experienced something that seems commonplace but can have an application to the gospel of the kingdom of God. These aren't the lightening bolts from the sky sort of things that jolt us to a new spiritual understanding (although they could), but activities like weeding a garden, getting some exercise, cooking a meal or going to work can be sources of parables.

What it may require is to "put your mind on things above rather than on things of the earth" (Colossians 3:2), so that you begin to have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Now for the commercial break. When this activity takes root in your life, write down what you are thinking about. I have a selfish motive for this: I'd like to put it in the Wisdom & Power magazine. This would be a way for you to serve by writing. Your experiences, and application, could bless people across the world.

Parables are a great way to teach spiritual truths. Take up the habit. Keep your eyes and ears open to common experiences that have a greater, deeper application.

Blessing be on you
Chuck Jones

 

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