Why Jesus Spoke in Parables

"He who has ears, let him hear." — Matthew 13:9

Jesus could have taught in straightforward lectures. He could have given bullet-point instructions, step-by-step formulas, or detailed explanations that left no room for misunderstanding. Instead, He often spoke in parables—simple stories with deep spiritual meaning hidden beneath the surface.

Why?

Because parables invite us to lean in.

They aren't meant to be skimmed. They're meant to be pondered, wrestled with, prayed through, and understood through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Parables aren't just stories—they're spiritual mirrors that show us what is really happening in our hearts.

Parables Reveal

When Jesus told the Parable of the Sower, He was revealing something powerful: not everyone receives God's Word the same way. The same seed is scattered, but the soil of each heart responds differently.

In the same way, parables reveal the true condition of our heart.

Are we hungry for God? Distracted? Defensive? Hard? Teachable?

Parables slow us down long enough to notice.

Parables Conceal

This part feels strange at first. Why would Jesus hide truth?

Not because He wanted people in the dark—but because only those who truly desire God will pursue Him. Parables sift the pretending from the pursuing. They separate the crowd from the diciple.

The truth isn't hidden from you.

It's hidden for you.

Jesus wants us to seek Him—not casually, but with intentional hunger.

Parables Invite

Every parable is an open invitation:

"Come closer. Ask Me what it means. Let Me teach you."

Jesus explained His parables to the disciples in private because they followed Him after the story was over. They didn't walk away when the teaching got hard—they stayed long enough to hear the meaning.

The same is true for you.

If you stay near Jesus...

If you slow down long enough to listen...

If you let His words sink deeper...

He will show you truth that others miss.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for speaking to me through Your Word. Open my ears to hear what You're saying and soften my heart to receive Your truth. Help me seek You—not casually, but faithfully—and to understand the mystereis You have made available to those who desire You. Amen.