Jesus' Stories - “Parables’ Purpose”
Overview
Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables?
A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning—an extended simile or metaphor drawn from the soil of ordinary life. Jesus used them constantly, and the disciples noticed something striking: when he addressed unbelievers, he often spoke in parables, but when he taught his followers, he spoke plainly. So they asked him directly, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" Matthew 13:10.
Jesus' answer comes in two parts. First, he tells the disciples, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given" Matthew 13:11. The word "secrets" (or "mysteries") refers to truth that human reason cannot deduce on its own—truth that comes only by divine revelation. Second, Jesus quotes Isaiah's diagnosis of the human condition: dull hearts, hard ears, and shut eyes Matthew 13:13–15. This is not a problem unique to Jesus' first hearers. Scripture testifies to it everywhere—in the idolaters of Psalm 115:4–8, in Moses' words in Deuteronomy 29:4, in David's plea, "Create in me a clean heart, O God" Psalm 51:10, in Paul's warning about itching ears in 2 Timothy 4:3–4, and in the blinded minds of 2 Corinthians 4:4.
So why parables? Think of the difference between a thermostat and a thermometer. A thermostat determines a condition; a thermometer reveals one. Parables function like thermometers. They do two things at once: they expose our spiritual condition—our heart problem, our ear problem, our eye problem—and they reveal that understanding Jesus, trusting Jesus, and having faith in Jesus are not achievements of human reason or willpower. Faith is gift. We cannot bring ourselves to believe by weighing options and choosing wisely. The heart must be changed, and only God can change it. Through his shed blood Christ has reconciled us to the Father, and through Word and Sacrament the Spirit opens what was closed in us.
For those whose ears have been opened, Jesus says, "Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear" Matthew 13:16. That is reason for deep gratitude—God has revealed the truth to you, claimed you in the waters of baptism, and will not let you go. It is also a comfort for the ache every believer carries for loved ones who do not yet know Christ. We cannot change their hearts; only God can. But we are called to share the gospel and to pray, trusting that God works through that proclamation to bring people to faith. Speak the good news. Pray in peace. And let God do what only God can do.
Transcript
What you open your Bible's please with me to the 13th chapter of the gospel of Matthew, 3s
if you're using a Pew edition of Holy Scripture, you're going to find that in the New Testament 8s
on page 12. 12s
Matthew the 13th chapter for our time and God's Word this morning. 14s
We turn the page into a new chapter of our sermon series. 21s
We are midst a nine month long study. 25s
Entitled the red letter words of Jesus, oftentimes in the Scriptures, you'll see the words 29s
of Jesus, highlight and red, hence the title of this sermon series. 35s
So today is a new chapter that we enter into in this red letter series. 41s
We've taken a look at chapter one in which we study the I.M. statements of our Lord. 47s
Jesus said I.M. 54s
And then we were filling in the blank of what he said each and every week. 56s
And because he says I.M. 60s
That means we are and we filled in that blank. 62s
We took a look around the time of Thanksgiving at what were the things recorded in Scripture 67s
that Jesus gave thanks for. 71s
What did he give thanks for? 74s
We moved into chapter three, advent and anticipation. 77s
The Baptist and beyond. 83s
It took a look at what Jesus had to say about the four runner, John the Baptist. 85s
The one who had been prophesied and called to prepare the way of the Messiah. 91s
Now we took a look at the other theme of Advent, which is the second coming of Jesus. 98s
What did Jesus say about his second coming? 103s
We then moved into the next chapter, chapter four in which we were looking at first words. 107s
What were the first words of our Lord recorded in the Gospels? 115s
Today, new page and new chapter into chapter five. 121s
And it's simply entitled stories. 127s
Stories. 132s
We're going to take a look over the next eight weeks at some of the parables of our Lord. 133s
Some of the stories that he told. 140s
Very simple definition of parables is a earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 144s
And parables, these stories of our Lord, they're really extended similes. 154s
They're extended metaphors. 160s
And so, over these next eight weeks, we're going to take a look at stories about a soar and a manager, a Samaritan and wine skins. 165s
We're going to take a look about seed and treasure and purrows. 175s
We're going to take a look at yeast and flour. 180s
We're going to take a look at sheep and coins and a brother. 183s
The stories that Jesus told, which begs the question, doesn't it? 189s
Why is it that Jesus spoke in parables? 198s
Why did he speak in parables? 206s
So before we get into those stories in the weeks ahead, that's a fundamental question we have to answer. 211s
Why did he speak in parables? 220s
Because what we see in Scripture is that was the method that's so often he taught with. 226s
The disciples picked up on it. 237s
They picked up on it. 240s
The disciples noticed that when Jesus would speak to unbelievers, oftentimes he would use parables. 242s
And when he would speak to them, he would speak differently. 254s
So that occasion, the question, the question we're examining, 261s
look please at verse 10, then the disciples came and asked him, 265s
why do you speak to them in parables? 273s
Who's the them? 278s
The them are the unbelievers. 279s
So the disciples noticed it that peak there interest in that occasion, the question, 282s
why do you speak to them in parables? 287s
That occasion, then, a two-part answer from our Lord, look at verse 11. 292s
He answered, to you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, 299s
but to them, it has not been given. 309s
That word secrets there were fascinating words. 315s
You can also translate it, mysteries. 319s
What it means is truth that you can't deduce using your own human reason, 323s
but a theological truth that can only be revealed by divine revelation. 334s
So look again, at verse 11, to you it has been given to know the secrets, 342s
the mysteries, those things that can only be known through divine revelation. 348s
Been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it has not been given. 356s
So did Jesus speak then, so often to the unbelievers in parables, so that they wouldn't, 369s
understand? 388s
That was a wonderful professor in seminary. 392s
He was just a pastoral heart about him, as he taught, there was a softness about him. 397s
He was just a beautiful man, beautiful teacher. 405s
He was an old testament professor. 409s
He would teach very, very low key, a very quiet manner. 412s
But about every ten minutes or so in his lectures, about every ten minutes ago, 419s
he would change his voice, it's swallow his tone a little bit, and he'd say, 426s
So what's the point? 434s
What's the point? 438s
That was a pens-up moment. 441s
Pens-up, because you knew what you were about to get were about two sentences that were concise, clear, 443s
tight. 461s
That summarized what he had been talking about for about the last ten, 15 minutes as he was all in the weeds. 465s
What's the point he'd say? 477s
And then out, it would come clear. 481s
When Jesus taught in parables, was Jesus doing the opposite of what that professor did? 488s
Look at verse 12. 503s
For to those who have more will be given, and they will have an abundance, 507s
but from those who have nothing, even, but from those who have nothing, even what they have, 516s
will be taken away. 524s
So did Jesus speak in parables so that some would understand, and others wouldn't? 530s
Is that why he taught in parables? 543s
So that some would understand, and others wouldn't? 545s
Second part of the answer. 554s
It builds on the first. 557s
Look at verse 13. 561s
Jesus says, the reason I speak to them in parables is that seeing they do not perceive, 563s
and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand. 570s
With them, indeed, is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says, 574s
you will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. 580s
For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they've shut their eyes, 587s
so they might not look with their eyes and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart, 594s
and turn, and I would heal them. 601s
Jesus lifts up. 605s
The problem is the problem of the heart and the ears, and the eye that their hearts were dull, 607s
that their ears were hard, and their eyes were shut. 615s
This is in the first time we've heard that kind of criticism level. 622s
Why in Psalm 115, the Psalmist writes this, 626s
their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 633s
They've mildest, but do not speak. 637s
Eyes, but do not see. 639s
They have ears, but do not hear, noses, but do not smell. 641s
They have hands, but do not feel feet, but do not walk. 646s
They make no sound in their throats. 650s
Those who make them are like them. 653s
So are all who trust. 655s
And them, there's a comparison with those that made idols with the idols that they made. 657s
Why we hear in Scripture Moses says in Deuteronomy the 29th chapter, 666s
He says of the people that they have a mind that they don't have a mind to understand or eyes to see, 671s
or ears to hear. 677s
Isaiah 44, it says, 680s
They do not know in order they comprehend for their eyes or shut, 684s
so they cannot see and their minds as well, so they cannot understand. 689s
So, what's the point? 698s
What's the point? 704s
Did Jesus speak in parables? 710s
So that's somewhat understand. 716s
And some wouldn't. 720s
Did Jesus speak in parables? 726s
Because he was frankly so frustrated with their heart, 730s
and they're the problem, and their ear problem, and their eye problem, 736s
that it was dull and hard and shut. 740s
So, did Jesus just speak in parables? 745s
Because he's frustrated and says, we don't understand anyway, 747s
I'll really confuse you. 749s
Is that the purpose then of the parables? 751s
If that's the case, we all fall into the category of people that have a heart problem, 762s
and an ear problem, and an eye problem. 775s
We all fall into that category. 780s
But in nature, that's who we are. 784s
We have spiritual heart disease. 789s
We have spiritual heart of hearing problems. 792s
We have spiritual sight problems. 797s
If Jesus spoke in parables, because he was frustrated at people, 800s
with their heart and their ear and their eye problems, 810s
well, who doesn't fall into that category? 813s
Why we hear David speak of it. 819s
In Psalm 51, he says, 823s
create in me a clean heart, oh God, 826s
and put in new and right spirit within me. 830s
David understood, we've got heart disease. 834s
Spiritual heart disease. 838s
Paul wrote, 842s
second Timothy the fourth chapter, 843s
for the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, 846s
but have itching ears. 851s
They'll accumulate for themselves, 853s
teachers, to suit their own desires, 855s
and turn away from listening to the truth, 858s
and wander away to myths. 861s
Paul understood. 865s
The heartening of the ear problem. 869s
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians the fourth chapter, 877s
the God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers 879s
to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, 884s
who's the image of God. 890s
So, did Jesus speak in parables? 898s
So that some just wouldn't get it? 906s
No. 912s
Did Jesus speak in parables? 916s
Because he was just frustrated with them. 918s
So what does it mean here then? 932s
Why did he speak in parables? 937s
Matthew Harman has a very helpful illustration about parables. 943s
He talks about parables, 953s
and he talks about thermometers and thermostats. 956s
He says, parables are really like thermometers. 962s
When you're not feeling well, 969s
wonder if you've got a fever, 972s
well, you use the thermometer, right? 975s
The thermometer doesn't cause the condition. 979s
It reveals the condition. 984s
So when you're swap across the forehead, 989s
you put the thermometer in your mouth, 990s
it's not that action that causes you to be sick, right? 993s
No, it reveals whether or not you have a fever, 997s
a thermostat. 1004s
If you wanted to be 70 degrees in your house, 1007s
you turn it to 70, and the thermostat determines the condition. 1013s
You'll determine whether to turn that heat on, right? 1020s
And get the house to 70. 1025s
The thermostat determines the condition. 1029s
The thermometer reveals the condition. 1032s
The thermostat determines the condition. 1036s
The thermostat determines the condition. 1042s
The thermometers are like thermometers. 1047s
So, what's the point? 1054s
Jesus spoke in parables. 1062s
To one reveal our spiritual condition. 1066s
He spoke in parables to reveal our spiritual condition. 1075s
And to, he spoke in parables to reveal that it's only by divine revelation. 1081s
That we understand who Jesus is. 1097s
What is done? 1101s
It's only by divine revelation. 1104s
He spoke in parables to reveal the spiritual condition. 1114s
He spoke in parables to show that it's only by divine revelation. 1119s
Okay, Gems, please. 1134s
At verse 11, 1137s
To you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. 1140s
But to them, it has not been given. 1148s
Jesus Christ died on the cross. 1157s
He bore all of our sin. 1160s
The sin of thought and the word indeed. 1163s
What we've done and what we've left undone. 1165s
He bore upon him the very condition of our sin. 1168s
All of our sin is simply the manifestation of the condition of sin. 1172s
And we are a sinner from the moment of conception onward. 1179s
The scripture reveals to us. 1183s
And Jesus bore that. 1185s
Through his shed blood, we are reconciled on to God. 1189s
We are forgiven. 1194s
We can think that we can bring ourselves to faith. 1196s
We can think that it's some kind of decision that we make on our initiative, 1203s
where we weigh the options and we say, 1209s
yeah, or nay. 1212s
No, scripture reveals that the heart is changed. 1214s
And we are turned as the custom put it into a lover of Jesus Christ. 1217s
Where we love him because our heart has been changed. 1225s
That's not a decision we make. 1232s
That's the gracious action of God that turns us into lovers of him. 1235s
And only, only, he can do that. 1242s
Look, please, at verse 11 once again. 1250s
To you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. 1255s
We have a profound heart problem and I problem and ear problem. 1262s
And we can't fix it. 1269s
We can't fix it. 1273s
Only, only, God can fix it. 1275s
So what's the point? 1280s
He spoke to parables. 1283s
He spoke in parables. 1286s
To reveal our spiritual condition. 1288s
He spoke in parables. 1292s
To reveal. 1295s
That it's only by divine revelation. 1297s
That we understand who Jesus is. 1306s
It's only by divine revelation. 1308s
That we trust in Jesus. 1313s
It's only by divine revelation. 1314s
His action in our life through word and sacrament that we have faith. 1317s
That's the point. 1329s
Look at verse 16. 1333s
But blessed are your eyes for they see in your ears for they hear. 1337s
Thanks be to God. 1348s
That God has revealed the truth to you. 1352s
That God has changed your heart. 1358s
That God has claimed you as his own in the waters of baptism and he's never ever letting go. 1362s
Thanks be to God. 1370s
For the heart change, for the opening of the ears and the sight that is given. 1374s
I would imagine that everybody here carries with them an ache. 1388s
An ache in their heart. 1400s
For a loved one, a friend, a neighbor, a work associate who you know that they don't know Jesus. 1405s
I have every single one of us has that ache. 1417s
Probably from multiple people in our lives. 1422s
An ache. 1427s
Beloved, you can't change them. 1431s
You can't change them. 1440s
But we can do what we're called to do. 1450s
And that is share the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1457s
That's what we're called to do. 1466s
Because it's through the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1472s
That God uses to bring people to faith. 1482s
So for the ache, for the ache, share the gospel. 1492s
Pray. 1506s
Pray in peace. 1511s
That God will do what God does. 1515s