Why Does Jesus Tell Stories?

Passage: Matthew 13:10-17

A good story told by a good story teller has power to not only capture our imagination and engage our emotions, but to convey truth in a way that connects to what we know and experience in life. That is if we're open to perceiving and receiving that truth. Many people are familiar with the short stories, or parables, that Jesus told to convey the truths of the kingdom of heaven, but not all understand those truths. Indeed, Jesus' purpose in using parables in his teaching was to further reveal the mysteries of the kingdom to those open to receiving them, but also to further conceal those truths from those whose hearts were hardened to what Jesus had to say. As we move into Matthew 13 where Jesus' method of teaching shifts to using parables, his disciples want to know why he tells stories. Jesus' paradoxical answer is important for us to explore if we are to have eyes to see and ears to hear the kingdom truths made known through the parables of Jesus. As we prepare to look at Jesus' parables in Matthew 13 over the next several weeks, it will help us to hear from Jesus himself as to why he speaks in parables.