The word parable derives from a Greek word

The word parable derives from a Greek word which means “to throw alongside. ” A parable takes a hard to understand concept, like the Kingdom of God, and lays it alongside something that is easily relatable from real life.

Luke 8: 10 (NIV) “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand. ’” Why did Jesus teach in parables?

Isaiah 6: 9– 10 (NIV) “Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving. ’ 10 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. ” Why did Jesus teach in parables?

Jesus chose to teach in parables as a kind of judgment on those who rejected Him. Why did Jesus teach in parables?

“Only faith could recognize the Son of God in the lowly figure of Jesus of Nazareth. The secret of the kingdom of God is the secret of the person of Jesus. ” C. F. D. Moule Commentator Why did Jesus teach in parables?

Luke 8: 18 a (NKJV) “Therefore take heed how you hear. ”

The Sower = God The Seed = the Word of God The Soils = the degree to which people hear the Word

Luke 8: 5: Some seed “fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot and the birds of the air ate it up. ” Luke 8: 12 interprets: “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. ” The Roadside Soil

Luke 8: 6: “Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. ” Luke 8: 13 interprets: “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. ” The Rocky Soil

Luke 8: 7: “Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. ” Luke 8: 14 interprets: “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. ” The Thorny Soil

Luke 8: 8: “Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great. ” Luke 8: 15 interprets: “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. ” The Good Soil

Luke 8: 8 (NIV) “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. ”

The key element is a seeking heart! What does it take to hear and heed?

Ultimately, Jesus spoke in parables because He wanted people to • ask questions • become curious • demonstrate interest in the Kingdom that was standing right in front of them What does it take to hear and heed?

Luke 8: 18 (NKJV) “Take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him. ”

In each of the poor soils, what they think they have, is taken away from them • In the roadside soil, the devil snatches it away • In the rocky soil, temptation takes it away • In the thorny soil, worldly concerns rob them of the Word

Where is God’s ‘seed’ falling in your own life?

When God’s seed finds even the smallest patch of good soil in our hearts, the Kingdom grows within us, producing a crop a hundred times greater!

So take heed how you hear!