The Power of Parables: The Sower

Luke 8:1-15
February 18, 2025

Welcome to Truth Worth Living, where we seek to understand God’s Word so we can live in God’s will.

Jesus of Nazareth was many things. We know He was fully God and fully man. He was the Lamb of God, sent to take away the sin of the world. He was:

• The Alpha and Omega
• The Word made flesh
• A miracle worker
• The Great Physician
• The Good Shepherd
• A Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace
• The Living Water and the Bread of Life
• A Liberator
• A Carpenter
• A Friend of Sinners
• A Revolutionary who challenged religious hypocrisy

But in addition to all that, Jesus was also a master storyteller.

The Parables: Simple, Yet Profound

Jesus’ stories, which we call parables, were original, simple, and always relevant. They challenged conventional thinking about God and His kingdom. His parables depicted everyday people behaving in unexpected ways, revealing a kingdom that was shockingly open and inviting—almost irresistible.

People flocked to hear Him teach, drawn to the way His stories cut through religious pretense and revealed deeper truths. The Gospels tell us that Jesus taught as one with authority, unlike the religious teachers of the time. His words carried weight because they weren’t just about God’s kingdom—they revealed it.

His parables force us, even today, to wrestle with the reality that being a part of God’s kingdom changes us. And if our faith doesn’t impact how we see life—or how we live it—we must ask why.

Why Did Jesus Teach in Parables?

The word parable comes from the Greek parabole, which combines two roots:

• Para – meaning “beside” or “alongside” (think of two parallel lines)
• Ballo – meaning “to throw” or “to place”

A parable, then, places two things side by side for comparison. It’s a brilliant way to teach because when we struggle to understand something unfamiliar, we naturally compare it to something we do know.

An artist seeking the perfect color doesn’t judge it in isolation but compares it against another. Similarly, when Jesus wanted to explain the kingdom of God, He used familiar images—family conflicts, unfair judges, farming struggles, or an empty cupboard—to unveil deeper truths about God’s kingdom that were hidden in plain sight.

But not everyone understood.

After Jesus shared His first parable, His disciples questioned His method:

“The disciples came to him and asked, ‘Why do you speak to the people in parables?’”
(Matthew 13:10)

They noticed that people left with more questions than answers. But that was exactly the point.

Jesus wasn’t trying to force anyone into the kingdom with emotional pressure or religious manipulation. Instead, He planted seeds of truth—stories people could remember and reflect on. As they turned these stories over in their minds, some would find their hearts softened and their faith ignited.

The Seed of Truth

Jesus’ parables were like seeds. For those with open hearts, the truth took root, transforming them from the inside out. Through these stories, God’s kingdom would come—one changed heart at a time.

As we begin this journey through Jesus’ parables, let’s ask God for ears to hear and hearts to receive what He is saying.

That’s a prayer worth praying. And this is Truth Worth Living.

Thank you for joining me today—I’m excited for what’s ahead!