Of Parables:
The Hidden Treasures of God’s Kingdom.
When the Yoruba people of Nigeria are in a joyous, celebratory mood, such as a wedding, burial, or installation of a traditional chief, they dance to a set of drumbeats of gangan and agidigbo - large and small - they are known as talking drums. Usually, with the drum hung on his shoulder, the lead drummer communicates to the dancers and listeners in parables. So the saying: “When the agidigbo drum beats in parables, only the smart and knowledgeable understand.” (Bi owe, bi owe lan lulu agidigbo, Ologbon lon ye Omoro lon mo ro e).
Now come with me to Matthew 13.
Matthew 13 contains eight parables: the parable of the sower (vv.1-23), the seeds (vv. 24-30, 36-40), the mustard seed (vv. 31-32), the yeast (vv.33-35), the hidden treasure (v.44), the pearls (vv. 45-46), the net (vv.47-50), and the house owner (vv.51-52). They are known as “kingdom” parables because they usually begin with the phrase, “The kingdom of heaven is like…”
We shall look at the first on the list, “The Parable of the Sower.” Incidentally, its focus is not on the sower but on the soil. It is probably more appropriate to call it, “The Parable of the Soil.”
Before then, there is the question: Why was Jesus always speaking in Parables? It’s easier for regular people to understand a message delivered in plain language than one wrapped up in a parable.
Sometimes, after speaking Parable in public, Jesus would go on to explain the meaning to his disciples privately. On one occasion, his disciples asked him why?
Matthew 13:10-11 states,
“The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them…” “This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”
Prophecy fulfilled. Isaiah had prophesied,
“Go and tell this people: Keep hearing, but do not understand; Keep seeing, but do not perceive. Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.” (Isaiah 6: 9-10).
Yet Psalm 78: 1-3, states:
“My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old - things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.”
The bottom line is that the people do not see; they hear but do not understand. They are inherently unable to comprehend. Reason? Because they rejected the Messiah. The Jews did not accept the message of the kingdom of heaven preached by John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
In John 8: 43–44, Jesus confronted the Jewish religious leaders, “Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires…”
But wait a minute, it is not only the Jews that reject Jesus but several other church leaders and ministry founders of our day have rejected him - they ignore the message of the kingdom, and are sold out to the spirit of the age. They prefer to concoct fake theologies to massage their ego. Their refrain is, “God told me“, claiming to stand in the gap like the prophets of old. They ignore the message of Hebrews. Hebrews 1: 1-2 opens with these words:
“In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the universe.”
The Parables of Jesus are revelations of long-hidden truths about the nature of the kingdom of heaven. By communicating those truths in parables, they remain hidden for many listeners of his day and our day (Matthew 13: 34-35).
The popular messages emanating from our so-called pentecostal/evangelical churches and ministry founders today, confirm their ignorance — deliberate or otherwise — of the true message of Christ’s kingdom - what it means for believers in this age, and in the age to come — at Christ’s millennial reign and the New Earth that will follow.
In other words, not everyone who hears the message of the kingdom will understand it. Only the chosen ones will understand and embrace it. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet is summarized in the statement: “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Mattew 22:14).
Who are the chosen?
Descendants of Abraham, the Israelites are described as God’s chosen people. They were called to mediate between God and the world toward restoring mankind’s relationship with God that was lost in Eden. Their role as a chosen nation started with the call of Abraham and ended with the birth of a new Nation, made up of Jews and Gentiles - the Church of Christ birthed on the Day of Pentecost. Yet, the Jews were prioritized by the early church to receive the gospel. Paul and Barnabas told the Jews in Galatia, “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” (Acts 13:46).
To illustrate further, let’s look at Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus in John 3: 10-12.
Secretly, Nicodemus had come to Jesus, acknowledging the signs that prove he had come from God. But while Nicodemus was preoccupied with “signs and wonders” Jesus called his attention to the one thing that really matters:
“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?”
Here we can sense Jesus’ frustration with Nicodemus, who, as a well-educated Pharisee (Israel’s teacher) should have understood the Scriptures better than he did. Nicodemus was also a member of the ruling council, the Sanhedrin which plotted to have Jesus arrested and executed - partly I think, because they did not understand and accept his Kingdom message.
Nicodemus’ question was, “How can someone be born when they are old?” “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Logical and legitimate statement, Right?
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of Water and the Spirit.” Again Jesus answered figuratively with a metaphor.
However, his encounter with Jesus was consequential. We must give Nicodemus credit on several key points:
First, he came to Jesus with his questions (vv.4,9). Second his dialogue with Jesus must have taken root in his heart, for later he spoke in defense of Christ when his colleagues were clamoring for his arrest (John 7:50-51). Third, he courageously identified with the Savior - at a time when his disciples had fled in fear. He joined Joseph of Arimathea to take Jesus’ body from the cross and give him a respectable Jewish burial (John 19:38-42).
Biblical stories are largely told in parables and allegories. Genesis account of creation, for example, contains underlying meanings that call for special insight to understand.
Overall, one has to understand the kingdom's message to enjoy the benefits and blessings of the kingdom.
Now to Matthew 13: 3-8, 18-23:
The central/key point here is the Seed. The integrity of the seed is never in doubt. It is constant and pure. But its life, or ability to thrive depends on the state/condition of the soil. The seed as explained in vv.18-23, is the kingdom message - the Gospel. The kingdom message is sound and intact.
The farmer goes out to scatter the seed; the seed falls on different kinds of soil - soils in a variety of health conditions. Some fell along the path. Characteristically, pathways attract traffic. Birds, squirrels, dogs, and humans all use the pathway. So the seed is vulnerable. Before you know it, the seed is eaten up by birds.
Some fell on rocky places. Rocky places are never friends of any seed however good the seed may be. You know, sometimes rocky soils are covered with sand. You have to test the soil to discover the underlying hard rock. A casual observer can easily be deceived by the sandy surface.
It is possible to listen to the word from year to year and all the year round with little or nothing to show as spiritual fruit or growth!
“When the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no roots.” Beyond our religious performance, we need to deepen our knowledge and understanding of Scriptures.
Other seeds fell among thorns. Thorns grew up and choked the plants. Thorns don’t give room for plants to grow. Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14, warns: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship has light with darkness…” It says “mind the company you keep.”
Our faith is strengthened or weakened by those we allow to influence our conduct/disciplined actions. They include our family members, friends, religious affiliation, the media, and our physical and social environments. While we cannot avoid relating to these, we are encouraged to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23), lest they become thorns that choke the Word out.
Still, other seeds fell on good soil and produced fruits - hundred, sixty, or thirty times of what was sown. One seed planted can multiply by a hundred, sixty, and thirty times.
In other words, the message of the Kingdom, planted in our hearts is meant to produce spiritual fruit - manifesting in our lives as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).
There’s no law against them.
They reflect the transformation of our canal humanity to the spiritual being God desires us to be.
