Unlocking the Mystery: Why Jesus Spoke in Parables - Matthew 13:10-11
Matthew 13:10-11 (NLT): "His disciples came and asked him, 'Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?' He replied, 'You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.'”
Introduction:
Today, we’re going to explore a fundamental question that puzzled even Jesus' closest followers—"Why did Jesus speak in parables?" We know that Jesus used simple, relatable stories to convey spiritual truths, but have we ever stopped to ask why He chose this method? Why didn’t He speak plainly all the time? Why did He use stories that sometimes even His disciples had trouble understanding?
Let’s dig deeper into this, uncovering the reasons behind His use of parables. We’ll see that these stories were not just simple illustrations but powerful tools to reveal the mysteries of God’s Kingdom. By the end of this message, I hope you’ll see how the parables apply to your own life and how they invite you to respond to the truth Jesus offers.
Point 1: Parables Reveal the Truth to the Humble and Seekers
Matthew 13:10-11 (NLT) gives us an important clue about why Jesus spoke in parables: “His disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?’ He replied, ‘You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.’”
The first reason Jesus spoke in parables was to reveal truth to those who were humble and sincerely seeking God. Parables were like spiritual keys—those who were willing to listen, learn, and apply what Jesus taught could unlock deeper spiritual truths.
The Greek word for “secret” in verse 11 is "µ?st?????" (mysterion), which refers to divine truths that can only be understood through revelation. Jesus was saying that the parables were designed to reveal these divine truths to those who were spiritually hungry.
Not everyone who heard Jesus was truly seeking the truth. Many were simply curious or even opposed to Him. But for those who were genuinely seeking to understand, the parables were a powerful way to reveal God’s Kingdom. Today, the same principle applies. God reveals Himself to those who have open hearts, who approach Him with humility, and who seek His wisdom.
Think of the parables like a treasure map. If you’re willing to follow the clues, you’ll find the treasure. But if you dismiss the map as too difficult or unimportant, you’ll miss out. Jesus' parables were designed to make people think, reflect, and search for the deeper meaning.
Pastor Timothy Keller puts it well: “Jesus' parables are like stained-glass windows in a cathedral. They seem dull and lifeless until you stand inside the building and look through them in the light of the sun.” The parables require us to step inside, to look closely, and to allow God’s light to shine through them into our hearts.
Point 2: Parables Conceal Truth from the Proud and Unbelieving
In the same conversation, Jesus explains a second reason for His use of parables—to conceal truth from those who are hard-hearted. In Matthew 13:13 (NLT), Jesus says, “That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.”
Jesus used parables not just to reveal truth but also to hide it from those who were spiritually blind, those whose hearts were hardened toward Him.
In this verse, Jesus is referencing the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10, where God speaks of people who will hear His words but won’t respond. Jesus wasn’t being unkind—He was showing that the condition of a person’s heart determines whether or not they can receive the truth. The proud and unbelieving are not ready for the full revelation of God’s truth.
Parables act as a spiritual filter. For those who are open to God, parables reveal deep truths. But for those who are resistant to God, parables remain a mystery. It’s a reminder to check the state of our own hearts. Are we humble and teachable, or have we allowed pride or doubt to harden us?
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT) says, “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” Spiritual truth requires spiritual discernment, and the parables highlight that principle.
Imagine trying to explain the beauty of a sunset to someone wearing dark sunglasses. No matter how vivid your description is, they won’t see the colours as clearly until they take off the glasses. In the same way, those who reject or ignore God’s truth are not able to fully understand the beauty and depth of His Word.
Point 3: Parables Invite Us to Reflect and Respond
Parables were also designed to provoke thought and encourage personal reflection. Unlike direct teaching, which often gives a clear answer, parables invite the listener to wrestle with the meaning. Matthew 13:34-35 (NLT) says, “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: ‘I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.’”
Jesus was fulfilling the prophecy in Psalm 78:2 (NLT), which says, “For I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past.” Parables are meant to make us dig deeper, to reflect on how the stories apply to our own lives.
One of the beautiful things about parables is that they engage both the mind and the heart. Jesus' stories weren’t just intellectual exercises—they were calls to action. After hearing a parable, the listener was meant to reflect and ask, “How does this apply to me?” “What is God calling me to do?”
Luke 8:8 (NLT) says, “When he had said this, he called out, ‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!’” Jesus was always inviting His listeners to go deeper, to understand the spiritual truths hidden in the parables.
Think of the parables like a mirror. When you look into them, you see a reflection of your own heart. How will you respond to what you see? Will you allow God to change you, or will you walk away unchanged?
Author N.T. Wright says, “Parables are stories with intent. They force us to ask: What kind of soil am I? What kind of person am I becoming? Where do I fit in the story?” The parables of Jesus call us to take a good look at our lives and respond to the truth He reveals.
Conclusion:
Jesus spoke in parables because they were the perfect tool to reveal the mysteries of God’s Kingdom to those who were seeking, while at the same time concealing the truth from those who were hard-hearted. Parables engage our minds, but more importantly, they touch our hearts and call us to reflect and respond.
So, how will you respond today? Will you be like the good soil, ready to receive and bear fruit? Or will you be like those who hear but do not understand, who see but do not perceive?
Call to Action:
I want to encourage you today to open your heart to the message of Jesus. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of His Word to you. Let the parables of Jesus prompt you to reflect, to dig deeper, and to live out the truths you discover. If you feel that your heart has been hard, ask God to soften it. He desires to reveal His truth to you, but we must be ready to receive it.
Invitation to Faith:
For those who have never accepted Jesus as their Saviour, I want to invite you today to make that decision. Jesus used parables to point us to the truth of God’s Kingdom—a Kingdom that is available to all who put their trust in Him. Will you surrender your life to Jesus today and enter into His Kingdom? If so, please come and speak to us after the service.
