Parables - To Teach or To Confuse

 I want to just start out by saying that as followers of Jesus Christ on a mission to tell the world about Him, we have to be careful of what we say. 

At no time should we refer to God in a negative manner, speak ill of Him, or cast aspersions on our Creator. Even if it is to emphasize a point, we must ensure that we follow quickly with the truth, the positive, or the correct version of what is.

The Bible underscores the importance of us speaking about God with respect and reverence. We must always reflect His truth and His goodness.

One of the Ten Commandments Exodus 20 verse 7, says we must not misuse the name of the Lord our God. 

Exodus 4:29 says we must not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouth, only that which is useful for the building up of others.

Likewise, as followers of Jesus Christ, whatever company we find ourselves in, we must make sure that we do not adopt their language. As Christians, we have to take the lead, whether they like it or not, and reel them in, stop them in their tracks, correct them, or steer the conversation away from that which we know should not be entertained by your ear-gates.

In a public forum such as this, and even in a private capacity, because God is watching, we cannot jest, run a foolish joke, or say something ambiguous just to grab attention, without ensuring that we get the same opportunity to retract, explain, clear the air, or clarify our position in Christ.

Family, we are called to a high standard, as a Christian.

Having said that the question came up the other day about the purpose of parables .

I heard an Elder in my church say that Jesus used parables to confuse people and that raised my eyebrows.

And so I brought it to you and we agreed that the purpose of parables was to explain a situation in terms that the “ordinary” person can understand.

In doing a study on the subject, I want to say that I understand now where the Elder was coming from. But again, I would emphasise that we don’t just throw statements out there like that without a follow up explanation. It can create confusion as folk seek to grow in their relationship with God.

We know that parables are simple stories used to illustrate a deeper moral and spiritual lesson. Jesus used parables a lot while He walked the earth. 

The list includes:

  1. The Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:3-9

2. The Mustard Seed - Mark 4:30-32

3. The Lost Sheep - Luke 15:3-7

4. The Unmerciful Servant - Matthew 18:23-35

5. The Vineyard Workers - Matthew 20:1-16

6. The Wedding Banquet - Matthew 22:1-14

7. The Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13

8. The Talents - Matthew 25:14-30

9. The Rich Fool - Luke 12:16-21, and

10. The Barren Fig Tree - Luke 13:6-9.

In the book of St. Matthew chapter 13 verses 10-17, Jesus explains to His disciples why He speaks to the people in parables. 

“The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” 

By using parables, Jesus taught spiritual truths not easily understood, in a much more relatable and memorable way. Those who heard were generally led to reflect on their own lives and their relationship with God. And those who didn’t want to hear, those were the ones who were further confused. Get it? 

The parables of Jesus convey different themes, but primarily they’re about heaven, the Kingdom of God. So why would Jesus want to confuse anyone?

We can look at a similar scripture in Mark 4:12 which says…“The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ””

And Isaiah 6:9-10…“Go and tell this people: “ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.””

Is our takeaway from that, that parables are to confuse people? 

Family, I want to suggest that we must seek to study the scriptures in context and with a view to getting a deeper understanding of and appreciation for who God is.

At first glance, it may appear that Jesus used parables to deliberately hide the truth from certain people. However, it is important to understand that Jesus was and is, all about good

To put it in simple terms, here’s a parable, if you know you know. Much like me having a friend or me being somebody’s friend, and we use particular situations to reveal wrong doing. But neither of us wants to hear, we’re not convinced, in fact we each feel what we are doing is correct, and confusion arises.

On the other hand, if as a friend or if my friend is open to rebuke, we have a desire to learn and grow deeper in Christ, if we aren’t ones to think we know it all, then we would accept correction, embrace the teaching and make some changes for the better.

That’s my attempt at a parable. You can apply yourself to a parable or two, in your own life.

But Jesus, the Greatest Teacher, sought and seeks to engage listeners, provoke thought and self-reflection, promote understanding, and reveal deep insights. 

Out of any takeaway from His parables, should come enlightenment, not confusion, glory to God. And that must be the main reason for parables. Amen?! The positive.

One would only be confused by parables or folk wouldn’t understand, if they are not interested in being better, if they don’t want to know about the Kingdom of God, one would only be confused by parables if their heart is hard and cold and stony. 

I want to submit to us today, that Jesus’ use of parables was not to confuse us. Jesus wants all of to seek Him, He wants us to understand that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

His use of parables is to challenge us, to provoke deeper thought, and to reveal the Kingdom of God to those who are open-hearted. Those who are spiritually receptive will find parables to be enlightening and transformative. 

So parables, to teach or to confuse? It’s for you to decide. But I say to teach, because I am open to learn. I would understand if someone is confused, because that would mean they are spiritually blind and deaf.

I pray today that we would all be open to be taught. May we all open up our understanding to the ways of God, our Father in heaven. May we all study the scriptures. May we all learn and be drawn closer to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as we await His soon return.

aub - 5 Aug 24

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