The Wisdom of Parables

Matthew 13: 10-17

Jesus teaches in parables because they can convey so much more than a monologue or lecture could accomplish.  An effective storyteller can teach a variety of lessons and impart deep wisdom in just one well-told story.  We might think parables are designed to hide truth from us, but in reality they exist to release truth to us over time.  In the constant reflection and retelling of a parable we can learn more and more each time.

Consider, for example, the parable of the Good Samaritan, told by Jesus in answer to the question - who is my neighbor.  Now to be sure the parable answers that question - everyone is our neighbor, but it does so in a compelling way by making a bitter enemy the one who shows mercy and compassion.  The story also teaches us that anyone can be virtuous, and that showing mercy to others is more important in our faith life than temple worship.

Jesus could very well have answered the lawyer by saying that everyone is our neighbor, but then we would not have these other lessons to reflect upon.  We would not have the scenario itself of the traveler that forces us to consider in what life situations of ours can we extend mercy and compassion to others in the way the Samaritan did.  The parable is a teaching method that is ever providing wisdom and insight to those who revisit them time and time again.