Devotional thoughts for Thursday

Thursday 16. October 2014 

Trinity 17 

All these things Jesus said to the crowds in prattles; indeed, He said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." (Matthew 13,34-35 ESV) 

Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist tells us that Jesus spoke in parables and that this fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 78,2. The psalmist speaks of parables as a method to teach about God. A parable is a story, either true or created, that teaches a particular theme. Jesus used parables to teach people about a number of things. 

The interesting thing about parables is that they hold secrets. To the wise, they teach a great spiritual truth, but to others they are merely good stories with a moral to follow. Jesus used His parables to hide things from the crowds but to inform His disciples. This is why sometimes Jesus explained His parables in private to His disciples so that they would understand the true meaning of what He had taught. 

This is true today. Christians understand what the parables are really saying. And this is also true for Holy Scripture in general. We read the Scriptures, ponder over them, pray for wisdom and the Holy Spirit teaches us from these holy words. Have you ever read something in the Bible, something you read many times before, but on this occasion you realized something new from the verses? That is the Holy Spirit guiding you to uncover the depths of Holy Scripture. The Apostle Paul told Timothy: "From childhood you have been acquainted with the Sacred Writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2. Timothy 3:15) The same is true for Jesus' parables: they are to make you wise unto faith in Him. 

Prayer: O Almighty and Everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope and love, so that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, You Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. (A70, Treasury of Daily Prayer)