Sharing Jesus in Different Ways (Mathew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

How do you share Jesus with others?

Do you always share the same story and in the same way?  Or do you tailor your approach based on your audience? In Matthew 13, Jesus presents eight parables to teach about the kingdom of heaven. He “describes both the hidden nature of the kingdom of God in the present and the mixed response of people who hear about it.”^[1] Notice that in these parables, or metaphorical stories, Jesus reveals various truths.  

· The Parable of the Sower describes how different types of soil represent people's varied responses to God's word.

· The Parable of the Weeds explains the coexistence of good and evil in the world until the final judgment when they will be separated.

· The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Yeast both illustrate how the kingdom starts small but grows significantly and transforms everything it touches.

· The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl highlight the kingdom's immense value, portraying it as something worth giving up everything to obtain.

· The Parable of the Net depicts the final judgment, where the righteous and wicked will be separated like fish caught in a net.

· The Parable of the Householder compares a scribe instructed in the kingdom to a house owner who treasures old and new teachings.

So why use parables? As Josh Porter shares, “Jesus is an artist and, at times, a mysterious artist willing to provoke his audience.”[2] Just as an artist paints in evocative ways that grab their audience’s attention, Jesus speaks in such a way that makes people think. Thus, as we read these parables, we should do what Porter suggests and not focus on “sifting for one-liner life lessons.” Instead, we should remember, “Jesus is concerned with the power of creative imagery, symbolism, and beauty, and we should be too. He wants his audience to do more than listen and think; he wants them to imagine and feel, to be challenged and provoked.”[3] When Jesus’ disciples ask him why he spoke in parables, Jesus responds in Matthew 13:11-13:

¹¹ “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them. ¹² For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ¹³ That is why I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand.

As D.A. Carson notes, “Jesus’ answer cannot legitimately be softened.”^[4] He means precisely what he says. He’s revealing certain secrets of the kingdom of heaven to his disciples that he doesn’t reveal to the crowds. Why? Not only to fulfill what had been prophesied in Psalm 78:2 but also because he knew there were certain things his disciples could handle that the crowds could not.