I confess, many times I fail to grasp the meaning of Jesus’ parables right away. What I have learned is that parables teach one main truth. I think Jesus taught parables for several reasons. I point this out because often he used parables when the Pharisees, or Scribes and Teachers were confronting his teaching. He often used their behavior as a contrast between righteousness and self-righteousness. But more importantly, his teaching was relevant to the problems people were facing in their real life. Here are three reasons we see why Jesus taught parables.
First, he taught parables to teach others about themselves by seeing others. When Jesus was at the wedding feast (Luke 14:7-11) he noticed how some people were choosing their seats of honor. Jesus used the situation as an immediate illustration! In that way he allowed people to see themselves as others see them, more importantly how God sees them. This pointed out our relationship to God by our relationship to others.
Second, Jesus taught parables not just to convey information but convey transformation. In his book The Teaching Ministry of the Church, William Yount explained that, “Jesus defined the terms wise and foolish not on the basis of what one knows, but on the basis of what one does with His words.” ¹ Christ used parables for people so that they could look at themselves in hopes of being changed. Yount explained that Christ taught people not lessons. It was more about the people than just information. If the information did not address the change they needed it would then be futile.
Third, Jesus taught parables so that people would look at themselves on the inside. He was more concerned with the internal character rather than the external piety. Yount also explained this as a “character-building teaching.” Yount described this in three areas of character which focuses on the head, heart, and hand. The head must not just understand what Jesus taught but what He expects. The heart must focus not only on what Jesus expects but be devoted to kingdom priorities. And the hand focuses by using the gifts God has given to fulfill His purposes.
When many people came to Christ to hear his teaching only some stayed, but many left. He was not concerned with sheer numbers of followers but on building the character of those who would truly believe and follow him for his purpose and glory. As you read the Bible remember this, what you learn is not just for information but transformation (1 Timothy 4:7-8). When reading your Bible you need to ask yourself this question, “How does God want me to change in light of what I just read.” Now you are not just reading a parable for information, but transformation for His glory!
¹ William R. Yount, (B&H Academic, Nashville, 2008).
