ry phase of nature was employed in illustrating truth. The scenes
upon which the eye daily rests were all connected with some spiritual
truth, so that nature is clothed with the parables of the Master.
In the earlier part of His ministry, Christ had spoken to the people
in words so plain that all His hearers might have grasped truths which
would make them wise unto salvation. But in many hearts the truth
had taken no root, and it had been quickly caught away. “Therefore
speak I to them in parables.” He said; “because they seeing see not;
and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.... For this
people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and
their eyes they have closed.” Matthew 13:13-15.
Jesus desired to awaken inquiry. He sought to arouse
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the careless, and impress truth upon the heart. Parable teaching was
popular, and commanded the respect and attention, not only of the
Jews, but of the people of other nations. No more effective method
of instruction could He have employed. If His hearers had desired a
knowledge of divine things, they might have understood His words;
for He was always willing to explain them to the honest inquirer.
Again, Christ had truths to present which the people were
unprepared to accept or even to understand. For this reason also
He taught them in parables. By connecting His teaching with the
scenes of life, experience, or nature, He secured their attention and
impressed their hearts. Afterward, as they looked upon the objects
that illustrated His lessons, they recalled the words of the divine
Teacher. To minds that were open to the Holy Spirit, the significance
of the Saviour’s teaching unfolded more and more. Mysteries grew
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clear, and that which had been hard to grasp became evident.
Jesus sought an avenue to every heart. By using a variety of
illustrations, He not only presented truth in its different phases, but
appealed to the different hearers. Their interest was aroused by figures
drawn from the surroundings of their da