Story-Telling for Grasping Spiritual Realities — March 19 [Description]Brief and Specific Overview of Matthew 13:34-35:These verses highlight that Jesus always used parables—short, symbolic stories with spiritual meaning—when speaking to the crowds. He didn’t explain things directly to everyone but used stories to reveal deeper truths to those willing to seek understanding. This fulfilled an ancient prophecy (Psalms 78:2), showing that Jesus came to unveil mysteries hidden since the beginning of time. His use of parables wasn’t just a teaching style—it was a divine strategy to awaken spiritual curiosity and fulfill Scripture.Overview of the Passage:This passage highlights how Jesus used parables and nature to teach divine truths in ways people could understand. Just as Christ came to earth in human form to reveal God’s character, He also used earthly stories and natural objects to help people grasp spiritual realities. Although sin had marred nature’s clarity, Jesus reopened people’s eyes to God’s messages written in the world around them—like lilies, grass, and daily life experiences.Because many hearts were dull or distracted, Jesus taught using relatable imagery—not just to explain truth, but to stir curiosity and reach every kind of listener. These parables became lifelines from earth to heaven, drawing attention to God’s presence even in life’s simplest things. Ultimately, He invited people to trust God’s care and seek His kingdom first, with the assurance that He knows and provides for all their needs.

Bible discovery

Matthew 13:34-35365D 78.1

34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,365D 78.2

35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”365D 78.3

Spirit of Prophecy Reading

Christ’s Object Lessons pp.17-21:365D 78.4

In Christ’s parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men. So it was in Christ’s teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar.365D 78.5

The Scripture says, “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; ... that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:34, 35. Natural things were the medium for the spiritual; the things of nature and the life-experience of His hearers were connected with the truths of the written word. Leading thus from the natural to the spiritual kingdom, Christ’s parables are links in the chain of truth that unites man with God, and earth with heaven.365D 78.6

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 clear, and that which had been hard to grasp became evident.365D 78.7

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 daily life. None who listened to the Saviour could feel that they were neglected or forgotten. The humblest, the most sinful, heard in His teaching a voice that spoke to them in sympathy and tenderness.365D 78.8