Chapter 1: Teaching in Parables

Chapter 1: Teaching in Parables

Jesus sought an avenue to every heart. By using a variety of illustrations, He not only presented truth in its different phases, but appealed to the different hearers.
--In Christ's parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. God was made manifest in the likeness of men.
--So it was in Christ's teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar.
The Scripture says, "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; . . . that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." Matthew 13:34, 35.
--Christ brought the mind of man in contact with the Infinite Mind. He did not direct the people to study men's theories about God, His word, or His works. He taught them to behold Him as manifested in His works, in His word, and by His providences.
--In His teaching from nature, Christ was speaking of the things which His own hands had made, and which had qualities and powers that He Himself had imparted. So wide was Christ's view of truth, so extended His teaching, that every phase of nature was employed in illustrating truth.
*In their original perfection all created things were an expression of the thought of God.
--The earth is now marred and defiled by sin. Yet even in its blighted state much that is beautiful remains. God's object lessons are not obliterated; rightly understood, nature speaks of her Creator.
--In the days of Christ these lessons had been lost sight of. Men had well-nigh ceased to discern God in His works; and instead of manifesting God, His works became a barrier that concealed Him. Men "worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator."

Thus the heathen "became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:25, 21. 
--He gave the lesson, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow [in the simplicity of natural beauty]; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Matthew 6:28,29.
--Christ did not deal in abstract theories, 

but in that which is 

essential to the development of character, 

that which will enlarge man's capacity for knowing God, 

and increase his efficiency to do good.

--The book of nature is a great lesson book, which in connection with the Scriptures we are to use in teaching others of His character, and guiding lost sheep back to the fold of God. As the works of God are studied, the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into the mind. It is not the conviction that logical reasoning produces; but unless the mind has become too dark to know God, the eye too dim to see Him, the ear too dull to hear His voice, a deeper meaning is grasped, and the sublime, spiritual truths of the written word are impressed on the heart. In these lessons direct from nature, there is a simplicity and purity that makes them of the highest value.
--Christ's purpose in parable teaching was in direct line with the purpose of the Sabbath. God gave to men the memorial of His creative power, that they might discern Him in the works of His hand. The Sabbath bids us behold in His created works the glory of the Creator.
--So in every line of useful labor and every association of life, He desires us to find a lesson of divine truth.

Let them learn that creation and Christianity have one God. 

Let them be taught to see the harmony

 of the natural with the spiritual.