Storyteller: The Parables of Jesusනියැදිය

Applying the Parables

There is nothing quite like a good story to captivate our hearts and inspire our imaginations. Stories can stick with us and make an impact for a long time—in some cases, forever. As the greatest storyteller of all time, that was Jesus’ intent when teaching parables. He has ensured they leave a lasting impression on our hearts and minds so that we continually reflect on them as they change, revitalize, renew, and move us forward into action.

It is my prayer for us all that we are different now than when we first started studying these stories. I pray that they have become more than mere words on a page, but rather an experience of the goodness of God as we gained a deeper understanding of His perfect, unfailing character. Likewise, I pray that as believers in the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection, He has given us all we need to view ourselves not as outsiders but, rather, as those who have entered into the Kingdom of God as willing participants in His work, both now and for all eternity!

He has set the table and given us an abundance of His truth to feast upon, and you, my friend, are invited to come and enjoy His transformative power and incredible blessings.

Maybe you have never accepted His invitation, but He wants you to know you have a place at His table. Maybe you have come in the past but have stepped away. He is welcoming you back. Maybe you are already enjoying His feast daily. He is drawing you deeper. He desires that each of us be together with Him and bring others along so they too can enjoy all He wants to pour out.

I leave you with Isaiah 55. It was written by the prophet Isaiah to comfort the Jewish exiles when they returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. It is also an invitation for you and me to seek God, hear His voice, obey His commands, and find satisfaction and life in His presence.

1 Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.

3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.

4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.

5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;

7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

12 For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

(Isaiah 55:1-13, ESV)

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for teaching me about Your Kingdom and helping me know You better. May I partner with You to see Your Kingdom come to this earth, as it is in Heaven. Jesus, thank You for planting Your Word in my heart so it can grow me into Your likeness. I pray that You have preeminence in my thoughts, heart, and life, because You are worthy of all the honor and praise. Fill me with compassion, and help me use every resource You have given me for the needs of others. Fill me with Kingdom power, to pray, be ready for Your return, withhold judgment, and display Your love to everyone I come in contact with. Jesus, I pray Your parables transform every aspect of my life for Your glory. Amen.