If you had been commissioned to explain the great mysteries of the Kingdom of God, how would you have done it?  Personally, being more of a linear and analytical thinker, I would likely have written epistles as the Apostle Paul did.  Or, also being a history buff, I might have written historical accounts like Moses, Luke and others.  Some of you, who are into poetry and romantic language, might have expressed these truths using psalms.  Still others, who ponder wise and profound sayings, might have written proverbs. What form did Jesus, the Son of God, use to communicate the great mysteries of the Kingdom?  He told stories. Stories that He made up.  Better known as "parables."  Why?  He gives us the answer to this question in Matthew 13:10-13:

 

 

     Why did Jesus speak to the people in parables?  He did it both to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom and to conceal them.  He used parables to reveal spiritual mysteries to those who truly desired to know and obey them - e.g. His disciples and other followers.  He also used parables to conceal spiritual mysteries from those who ultimately didn't want to know or practice the truth - e.g. Scribes, Pharisees, etc.  How brilliant!  At one and the same time, He was both teaching the receptive and piquing the interest of the close-minded.  And, as many people will attest, His parables are still doing that to this day!