The Purpose of Parables

Stacy Kudlicki
11/8/2007
REL 211 - Ludlow
Jesus The Christ Chapter Reflections
Chapter 19: "He Spake Many Things unto Them in Parables"
In this chapter of Jesus the Christ, James E. Talmage gives us a greater background to what was going on in Jesus's day to help us understand the Son of God's most useful teaching method: the parable. I learned that because Christ had previously spoken with so much authority, his fame increased, and he was heard of throughout the land, including by those who claimed they were the only authority. They were prideful and Jesus knew that if he continued to speak boldly, he would get arrested. Also, the people were having a hard time understanding him. So he began to teach with parables, which were, at that time, a common teaching tool in Jewish tradition. Talmage further delves into the explanation, comparisons, and meanings behind each of Jesus's parables. These seem to be the exact material I learned in class this week. A new insight with these parables is that those of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price were directed more towards his disciples. I was particularly struck by Talmage's statement that "Two men may hear the same words; one of them listens in indolence and indifference, the other with active mind intent on learning all that the words can possibly convey" (297). This is what makes the difference between a nice story and a life-saving principle. We have to approach the words we hear with an open mind and be ready to accept a need for change in our lives. Anyone can twist words to mean how they want them to. If we have ears of indifference a parable, even after being explained, will mean nothing because we do not want it to mean anything. But if we seek out meaning in the story, something deeper than a cute story, as it was intended, then we will find that meaning. Then, when we continue on in our lives, the average things we do that once were likened to the kingdom of heaven will remind us of the teachings of Jesus.