Daily devotional – The parables of Jesus.
When Jesus began to teach using parables, it puzzled His disciples. What exactly is a parable? The word “parable” means to cast alongside. It is a story, or a comparison, placed next to a spiritual truth to help make the lesson clear. But these were not ordinary stories—Jesus called them the “mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 13:11).
In the New Testament, a mystery refers to a spiritual truth understood only by divine revelation. It is a sacred secret revealed to those “on the inside”—those who learn from the Lord and obey Him.
So why did Jesus teach in parables? He gave two reasons:
Because of the spiritual dullness of the people (Matthew 13:10–17).
Because prophecy declared He would do so (Psalm 78:2; Matthew 13:34–35).
Jesus did not use parables to confuse or condemn. Instead, He used them to stir interest, awaken curiosity, and draw people to seek more. His parables gave light to those with humble, searching hearts—but they brought darkness to the indifferent and unrepentant.
When we finish our current series on Revelation, our midweek services will begin a new journey through all the parables Jesus taught, starting in Matthew 13 with the parable of the Sower. I encourage you to begin reading ahead and meditating on these treasures of Christ’s teaching, so together we may grow in our understanding of the kingdom of God.
In Matthew 13, we learn there are four types of hearts that hear the Word of God—but only one bears fruit for the kingdom. May we be that fruitful soil.