I want to take a little time to talk with you about something very close to the heart of Jesus’ teaching—parables. You see, Jesus often spoke in parables during His ministry on earth, and many of us can recall some of these powerful sayings. But as we begin our journey to study them, I believe we must address some fundamental questions. What is a parable? Why did Jesus teach in parables? What are they about, and how should we interpret them?

Let’s start by defining a parable. The word “parable” comes from the Greek word parabole, which means to place something alongside another for comparison. Think of Jesus using a familiar, everyday story to reveal deeper, spiritual truths. When I think of this, it reminds me of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where the father loved to explain the origins of words from the Greek language. It’s a humorous comparison, but unlike the Windex that Gus claimed could fix everything, Jesus is the real cure-all.

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus used these narratives to teach truths that could be understood by those who were truly seeking. For example, He told the parable of the sower, in which He compared spreading seeds to sharing the Word of God. People at that time understood farming, and Jesus took that relatable task and turned it into a spiritual lesson.

But why did Jesus choose to teach in parables? Why not speak plainly to the crowds? As we read in Matthew 13, after teaching the crowd, His disciples asked Him the same question. Jesus’ response was clear: The truths of the kingdom were not for everyone to understand. He used parables to conceal these truths from those whose hearts were hardened, but He revealed their deeper meanings to those who genuinely sought Him. This distinction is critical because those who truly wanted to know the kingdom’s mysteries would come to Jesus for more understanding, just as the disciples did. Parables separate the seekers of truth from those who are indifferent.

So, what are these parables all about? The central theme running through all of them is the kingdom of heaven. Whether Jesus spoke about a mustard seed or hidden treasure, He was always pointing back to the kingdom of God. And within that, we find sub-themes—like the character of the kingdom, the nature of the King, and the heart of those who belong to His kingdom. For instance, the parable of the Good Samaritan shows us the kind of love and mercy the King’s subjects must have. These stories reveal God’s expectations for His people and what it means to live under His rule.

But as we dive deeper into understanding parables, how should we interpret them? There are two extremes to avoid: over-analyzing every detail to find hidden meaning and, on the other hand, claiming only one truth in each parable. Often, Jesus’ parables have multiple layers of truth, but we must always seek the main point. We must also be careful not to use parables to create new doctrines. These stories were meant to reveal but also to conceal, so we should be cautious when drawing conclusions.

As we study these parables, we will uncover the beautiful mysteries of God’s kingdom—truths that prophets like Abraham, Moses, and David longed to understand fully but couldn’t in their time. We, however, are blessed to hear these teachings with open ears and hearts.

As we prepare to dive into these parables in the coming lessons, I want to ask you a personal question: Are you ready to inherit the kingdom of heaven? To do so, you must take some important steps. First, you need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, you need to believe it, confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and be baptized for the remission of your sins. It’s a lifelong journey, one that requires commitment, but God’s grace is abundant for those who follow Him.

So I ask again, where do you stand? Are you ready to enter the kingdom of heaven?