"Then He spoke many things to them in parables...." (Matthew 13:3a)
The Greek word for "parable" means "comparison." One dictionary defines "parable" as "a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson, a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison...."
I was in a several day session with Bible teachers some years ago, and in an evaluation session, one of the men said that I am a storyteller. He said something to the effect, "You tend to express your ideas by telling some sort of story." I did not fully understand that observation, but I guess as I considered the statement I could see what he was saying. Illustrating Biblical truths with a story help reveal just how "down to earth," how effectual are the, "God-Breathed," Words.
I was in a several day session with Bible teachers some years ago, and in an evaluation session, one of the men said that I am a storyteller. He said something to the effect, "You tend to express your ideas by telling some sort of story." I did not fully understand that observation, but I guess as I considered the statement I could see what he was saying. Illustrating Biblical truths with a story help reveal just how "down to earth," how effectual are the, "God-Breathed," Words.
Illustrations are best when they come from our experience in life, not someone else's. There is a very real sense in which our testimonies are "parables." They are examples of Biblical truths, e.g, salvation, Jesus' faithfulness, victory in "impossible" circumstances, provision, deliverance, etc. You have heard the quote, "A man with an argument is no match for a man with an experience." No one can argue the Bible with me. If there were ever any uncertainty of the "inspiration," the power, of the, "Words of God," prior to the summer of '70, my journey, "through the valley of the shadow of death," cured whatever uncertainty there may have been. Now I know of certainty the truth of 1 Thessalonians 2:13, "....when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God...." My testimony is a parable of Jesus Christ's faithfulness.
Too many Followers of Jesus try to convince nonbelievers by quoting the Bible. The Bible, of course, is not the problem. The quoting of it, however, as though His Words were somehow just words to quote to further an argument is very much a problem. Revelation 12 tells us that Followers of Jesus overcome, "by the word to which they bare witness." Our testimony is a, "witness," an example, a story which illustrates, confirms, if you will, the Truth. Don't try to be a Bible "answer man." Be a Bible parable.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray I am a good parable. Amen.
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We are half way to our March Mission need
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
