As Jesus taught and preached in Galilee, the Pharisees constantly sought for a way to trap Him in His teaching. Their efforts were vain. He was the Master Teacher. Following His greatest sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, the audience reacted to His teaching: "And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." {Matthew 7:28,29} On another occasion, the men the Jewish religious leaders sent to arrest Him returned with this assessment of Jesus, "Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, 'Why have you not brought Him?' The officers answered, 'No man ever spoke like this Man!'" {John 7:45,46}

One of the ways Jesus taught was by using parables. "And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying..." {Matthew 13:2,3}

What is a parable? Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words defines the word as follows: "denotes a placing beside, to throw or lay beside, to compare. It signifies a placing of one thing beside another with a view to comparison." Nelson's Bible Dictionary defines the word as: "a short, simple story designed to communicate a spiritual truth, religious principle or moral lesson; a figure of speech in which truth is illustrated by a comparison or example drawn from everyday experiences." By using examples familiar to them, Jesus was able to communicate with all people-young and old, educated or unlearned, rich or poor-and challenge them to ponder the revealed truths. The earthly stories that made up the parables contained deeper, more meaningful spiritual truths that were not initially apparent.

Why use parables? "And the disciples came and said to Him, 'Why do You speak to them in parables?' He answered and said to them, 'Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.'" {Matthew 13:10,11} The real reason for the parables was to help Jesus' listeners see the simple truth of God's word. Thus, they could gain an understanding of God's love for them and the things required of them because of that love.

In this special issue, we will be examining some of the parables. My good friend, Micky Galloway, who preaches in Lancaster, California, and some of the brethren in the Lancaster congregation, have written these articles for this special issue. Read and enjoy the fruits of their labors. May God help us to appreciate what a wonderful teacher Jesus was while here on earth and the profound truths He revealed.