“Then the disciples came and said to him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ And he answered them, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.’
And he told them many things in parables, saying… ‘The kingdom of heaven is like…’
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.'” – Matthew 13:10-13, 34-35
Have you ever been completely confused by something Jesus said? You’re not alone. Even His closest followers often scratched their heads, wondering what He was talking about. And no teaching style of Jesus caused more head-scratching than His parables, especially the ones about the mystery of the kingdom of God.
Why Speak in Stories?
When Jesus began His ministry, He made a bold announcement: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). People were excited! The long-awaited kingdom had arrived. But then, instead of giving detailed explanations about this kingdom, Jesus started telling stories—stories about farmers, merchants, wedding feasts, and fishing nets.
Why would He do this? Why not just explain clearly what the kingdom is and how it works?
The disciples wondered the same thing. “Why do you speak to them in parables?” they asked. Jesus’ answer is fascinating and, honestly, a bit challenging. He says He uses parables because they simultaneously reveal and conceal. To those with receptive hearts, parables unlock “secrets of the kingdom.” But to those who have already closed their minds, these same stories remain puzzling or even meaningless.
It’s like those 3D “Magic Eye” pictures that were popular years ago. Some people could stare at them and immediately see the hidden image. Others would squint and tilt their head with no success. The difference wasn’t intelligence but a particular way of looking at the picture.
More Than Just Illustrations
We often think of parables as simple illustrations—like spiritual object lessons that make abstract concepts easier to understand. But they’re much more than that.
Jesus’ parables don’t just explain the kingdom; they embody it. They don’t just describe how God works; they actually work on us in the same way God does—inviting, challenging, sometimes confusing, ultimately transforming.
Parables don’t spoon-feed us answers. They invite us to wrestle, to ponder, to see things differently. They’re not just information transfer; they’re invitation to transformation.
As one scholar puts it, “Parables are not explanations; they are explorations.” They take us on a journey where we might discover something we weren’t even looking for.
Hidden in Plain Sight
Jesus quotes Isaiah to explain that some people “seeing do not see, and hearing do not hear.” This isn’t about intellectual capacity but spiritual receptivity. The kingdom is hidden in plain sight—visible to those willing to see it, invisible to those who aren’t.
Think about it this way: Two people can look at the same sunset. One sees random atmospheric effects; the other sees the glory of God. Same sunset, different perception.
Jesus’ parables work similarly. They reveal the kingdom to those with eyes to see while remaining just odd stories to those without spiritual perception. This isn’t about God playing favorites; it’s about how spiritual reality is perceived.
As Jesus said elsewhere, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9). The invitation is open to everyone, but not everyone chooses to truly listen.
Fulfilling Ancient Promises
Matthew notes that Jesus’ parabolic teaching fulfills Psalm 78:2: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”
This connection is significant. It shows that Jesus isn’t just using a convenient teaching method; He’s revealing mysteries that have been hidden “since the foundation of the world.” These aren’t just clever stories; they’re revelations of God’s long-planned purposes.
The kingdom Jesus proclaims isn’t a new divine strategy but the culmination of what God has been doing all along. The parables unlock understanding not just about present realities but about God’s eternal purposes.
Why the Kingdom Needs Parables
So why does the kingdom of heaven particularly require parables to explain it? Several reasons:
- The kingdom defies conventional categories
God’s kingdom doesn’t fit neatly into our existing mental frameworks. It’s “not of this world” (John 18:36), operating by different principles than earthly kingdoms. Parables help us think outside our normal categories. - The kingdom involves paradox
In God’s kingdom, the first are last, the greatest are servants, losing your life means finding it. These paradoxes are better conveyed through stories than through propositional statements. - The kingdom requires participation
Parables don’t just inform; they involve. They pull us into the story and ask, “Where are you in this?” This participatory nature mirrors the kingdom itself, which isn’t just something to understand but something to enter and live within. - The kingdom transforms gradually
Like seeds growing slowly, parables often work on us over time. Their meaning unfolds gradually as we ponder them—just as the kingdom itself grows gradually in our lives and in the world.
Finding Ourselves in the Stories
The beauty of Jesus’ parables is that they continue to speak to us today. They’re not just ancient stories for a specific audience; they’re living invitations to see our world and ourselves differently.
As we explore the kingdom parables in the coming weeks, I encourage you to approach them not just as texts to analyze but as mirrors to examine yourself. Ask not just “What does this mean?” but “Where am I in this story?” and “How is this challenging me to live differently?”
The parables we’ll explore together reveal different facets of God’s kingdom:
- How it grows (often in surprising ways)
- What makes it valuable (worth everything we have)
- How it exists alongside evil in the present age
- Who’s invited to participate (hint: it might surprise you)
- How citizens of this kingdom should live
Each parable opens another window into the reality Jesus called “the kingdom of heaven”—a reality that was present in His ministry, continues to grow today, and will one day be fully realized.
Living with Kingdom Eyes
So how do we become people who can truly “see” and “hear” what Jesus is revealing? Here are some practical suggestions:
- Approach with humility
Acknowledge that God’s ways are higher than our ways. Be willing to have your assumptions challenged. - Read repeatedly
Don’t just read a parable once and think you’ve got it. Return to it multiple times, looking for new insights. - Ask questions
What surprises you about the story? What doesn’t make sense? Often the puzzling elements are precisely where the kingdom insight lies. - Look for the twist
Jesus’ parables typically have an unexpected element that challenges conventional wisdom. That’s usually the main point. - Seek application
Ask not just what the parable means but what difference it should make in your life today.
Jesus’ invitation to understand “the secrets of the kingdom” remains open to us. As we journey through these kingdom parables together, may we develop eyes that see and ears that hear what might otherwise remain hidden in plain sight.
Next week, we’ll explore the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven, discovering how God’s kingdom grows in surprising ways from seemingly insignificant beginnings. We’ll see how these growth principles apply not just to the kingdom in the world but to the kingdom within our own lives.