What Is A Parable?
A Parable? “To compare together.” It is a similitude or likeness taken from the natural, or from natural things in order to instruct people in things that are spiritual. It is used in Scripture to denote a proverb or short saying.
Jesus used parables as a method of instruction. His parables will never be excelled. They were steeped in wisdom, useful, refined, and clear.
Concerning people and their morals it has been observed that very little reaches their understanding, except through the medium of the senses. The minds of people are not fitted for the reception of abstract truths. This is a reason for the use of parables. Instruction by way of parable is adapted to engage one’s attention and can be easily comprehended.
This form of instruction lays hold on the imaginations and carries with it a force and conviction which is almost irresistible. Is it any wonder that parables were made the vehicle of national instruction in the past by ancient cultures.
The first great quality of a parable is that it turns upon or points to an image that is well known and applicable to the person to which the parable is meant. Therefore to that person the parable becomes clear and definite.
This rule applies to the parables of Jesus. Let’s examine one of Jesus parables.
The Ten Virgins:
Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus said, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord open to us. But he answered and said, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
So what does this all mean?
1. The ten virgins are those who profess the Christian religion.
2. The Bridegroom is the Jesus.
3. The five wise virgins point to those who have and are attending to the affairs of their souls and spirits and not to the flesh.
4. The five foolish virgins are those who have built their Christian faith on words. Words without trust, not having the heart, nor the love for Christ. Christians are to be vigilant and have an expectant attitude of faith. True believers are described in the following way:
A. Hebrews 9:28, as those, “That look = (eagerly wait) for him = (Jesus.)”
B. 2 Timothy 4:8, as those who, “Love his = (Jesus) appearing.” So the big question is, are you eagerly awaiting for and anticipating the Lord’s coming?
5. The Bridegroom tarried = (delayed.) It has been 2000 years since these words were spoken. Yet the church lives by the grace of God. Many have gone by the way of the virgins without oil, servants having turned from their first love.
Servants having corrupted the truth of Scripture, virgins without oil.
Matthew 24:48, “That evil servant shall say in his heart, my lord delays his coming.”
Verse 51, They shall be cut in two, and their portion of the inheritance shall be “With the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
The Lamps.
6. Five lamps with oil and five without oil? The supply of oil that the five virgins had, represent an inward grace that distinguishes the wise from the foolish. The oil represents,
Philippians 1:19, “The supply of the Holy Spirit.”
At first this supply of the Spirit begins as a new spiritual life. Secondly it is the secret of the Holy Spirit’s enduring character and work living in that person. Everything and anything short of this is what is possessed by the foolish virgins.
The oil possessed by the virgins is that with which the Lord Jesus will be anointed. We can see this form of anointing throughout the Old and New Testament.
A. Exodus 30:24-26, The anointing is symbolized by the anointing oil with which Aaron and his sons were consecrated = (appointed) to the post of high priest.
B. Psalms 45:7, “Thy God, (the Father) hath anointed thee = (Jesus as King) with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
C. Hebrews 1:9, quoted from Psalms 45. “Thou (Jesus) hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity (lawlessness); therefore God (the Father), even thy God (Jesus,) hath anointed thee (Jesus) with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (companions).”
At His ascension, Jesus assumed the kingdom as, “Son of man,” but a fuller accomplishment is yet to come, when He shall be anointed King of kings. Lord over all.
Psalms 2:6-8, “Yet have I (the Father) set (established) my King (Jesus) upon my holy hill of Zion (Hill where the Temple sat). I will declare the decree: the LORD (the Father) hath said unto me (Jesus), Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee (a vice-regent, having delegated power given by the Father). Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen (Gentiles) for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”
It’s apparent that the Lord Jesus asked and received the Gentiles for His possession. Here we are, the bride of Christ, both Jew and Gentile, a new man in Jesus Christ.
D. John 3:34, “For God (the Father) giveth NOT the Spirit by measure unto him (Jesus).”
This is absolute proof that the fulness of the Divine life and power of the Holy Spirit indwells the Lord Jesus. It was not given for a particular time, a particular people, or a particular purpose, but for all eternity.
Let’s take a look a second parable.
E. Zechariah 4:2-3. Zechariah was given a vision of a “candlestick all of gold, with a bowl on top of it,” … and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.”
The candlestick of gold represents the church, this beginning with the Jews, and then extended to the Gentile nations. The bowl on top of the candlestick was continually being supplied with oil, not by the hands of any man but by the grace of Jehovah.
The two olive trees represent the two sons of God, Zerubabel and Joshua.
Jerubabel became the new governor = (king) of the Jewish community after Israels release by Cyrus the Persian from captivity. At that time, Joshua was the Jewish high priest.
Zechariah then asks the angel of the Lord, “What are these two olive branches?” He is told, “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Jewish kings and priests were anointed with oil. Both family lines extend to and end with Jesus Christ. The two olive trees begin with Zerubabel and Joshua, and conclude with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit finishing the Father’s work.
The oil, represents God’s grace to His sons and daughters of the faith. This anointing of oil is being communicated to Christian’s throughout the ages. This golden oil of grace keeps the Christian lamps burning.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com