Bible Reading: Genesis 42-43; Matthew 13:33-58
Memory verse: “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:” Matthew 13:34 (KJV)
Parables was used by Jesus in His teachings to the multitude. Parables are designed to hide the truth until the students discover it themselves. Even though small stories to which the people can relate are used, the truth of the story still remains hidden.
Parable is based on the principle that nothing is yours until you discover it yourself. Jesus used this principle because in the Kingdom of God, the Almighty never reveals the depth of His principle to people who love free things. One must sacrifice or give away something precious to get something from Him. For instance, to find God you must seek Him. Seeking Him involve making sacrifices, giving up precious things on your part.
The disciples of Jesus desired for more from Jesus than the multitudes. While the multitude go away to their various task, the disciples always stay behind to ask Him questions on the parables. Hence, the Master reveals the truth of these parables to the disciples who sacrificed more time listening to Him.
Your interest in God determines the level of information He will give you. What you know today about God is a result of the interest in Him shown by you. Jesus said, I have much to give you but you are not ready to take it (John 16:12-14). The teacher, therefore, does not determine the lesson, rather, it is the student that determines what the teacher teaches in the kingdom of God.
Like the disciples, your hunger or desire to know more attracts what God teaches you in the kingdom. He does not tell you what you don’t what to know, hence the use of parables.
Prayer: Father, help me to increase my desire to know You more than ever.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu