Parables Veiling the Obvious

Using parables, Jesus can teach us so much with so few words. He puts the mysteries of God on display for everyone with eyes to see. Christ has many things to teach us.  How fast are we ready to learn? 

“All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 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.” Matt 13:34-35  

Why did Christ only speak to the multitudes in parables?   How does he speak to you?

“And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.” Mark 4:33-34 

Why did Jesus expound things unto his disciples but not unto the multitudes?

“This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.” John 10:6 

Why didn’t they understand the parable?  Why did Jesus need to explain it to them?  Will he explain the parables to us?  Have we asked him to?

 “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

How do we open our ears? Why do some have ears to hear and some don’t? Would it be wise to listen and understand?

“And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”

Who are His disciples? How do we qualify as one of Jesus’ disciples? Would a disciple be converted to the doctrine of Christ? Why are the mysteries veiled to non-disciples?

“For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.”

Does this have reference to the parable of the talents?  Matt 25:14-30 Why is more understanding given to those who act upon the teachings they’ve already received? How do we obtain an abundance of knowledge? If we choose not to listen, how can the Lord give us further light and knowledge? D&C 50:24

“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.”

Why do many look but not really see? Hear but not really listen? What would happen if the unconverted opened their eyes and ears?

“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:”

What is required to perceive God’s message?  John 7:17, Luke 12:47 What does diligence and obedience have to do with perceiving the word of God? D&C 130:18-21   Many Jews missed Christ’s first coming, how are we doing? Do we recognize Him today?

“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

Why do many harden their hearts and close their eyes? What would happen if we softened our hearts and opened our eyes?  What gets in our way? Are we preoccupied with the things of Babylon?

 "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.”

What is the significance of the Lord calling his disciples blessed?

“For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” Matt 13:9-17 

Do we want to see? Do we want to understand the mysteries of God? Are they hiding in plain sight? So much can be revealed in a simple story. 

Heaven speaks in symbols. God has created parables for us. There are parables that happen right before our very eyes every day. You might even call them living parables.  They are designed to teach, inform, edify, warn, instruct, expound, and comfort. God treats each one of us like an only child.  He isn’t about mass production. He doesn't send us through an assembly line.  Each experience is custom-made for me, perfectly made for you.