Reading through the Gospels and encountering Jesus’ teachings is a great blessing for us today that seek to follow Jesus. Part of that blessing is to read the parables that Jesus taught alongside their explanations, but not everyone present for those teachings received the full explanation. It is plainly seen from the disciples’ responses to some of Jesus’ parables that they didn’t really understand what Jesus was truly saying, so why did Jesus teach in parables at all?
Parables aren’t supposed to be obvious.
In Luke 8, Jesus’ words are recorded from when He taught the parable of the sower/soils. A large crowd gathered to hear Jesus speak, and they likely all left with variations of what they thought He meant from the lesson because only the disciples received the explanation at that time. Jesus Himself calls out this truth:
“His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “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.’ Luke 8:9-10 NIV
Jesus did not intend to reveal the whole truth of the parable to all of His listeners. While this may initially seem strange, there is a good reason for Jesus’ selective transparency. He did not fully explain it to everyone, because they would have been held accountable for that teaching. The parables have a “key” truth to them that unlocks the true meaning.
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Luke 8:5-8 NIV
What will you do with the truth?
The varying audience that received this teaching from Jesus could have left with all kinds of lessons learned. A farmer might have thought that Jesus was giving a lesson about making wiser decisions about where to plant his crops. A different farmer could believe that he should spend more time tending to the weeds, and another could go home and try to dig through some of the rocky ground to better soil. But something happens to the parable when Jesus reveals the “key” to unlock the truth within it.
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11 NIV
To read again with the key in hand will lead us to much different and profound application of the truth. This parable could be for you to recognize the weeds in your life, the worries of the world, that choke out the growth of God’s word in your heart. It could draw your mind to realize that when the sun beats down on you, trials and hardships, your faith withers because you didn’t have the deep roots you need. Others could now see their need to be fruitful and produce a harvest that grows and is shared with many others, sharing the gospel with and being a generous servant to others. And as Jesus taught, there will still be some who miss out.
“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” Luke 8:15 NIV
What will you do with the truth from Jesus’ parables? Will you commit to follow Him, through surrender to His will and sacrifice of personal desires, comforts, and glory? Will you draw near to Him, trusting His kindness, goodness, and grace to provide for you? It is my prayer for you that God will help you with His wisdom and strength to be good soil, producing a harvest of righteousness.
