"That same day, JESUS left the house and sat down by the lakeside. Many people gathered around HIM. So HE got into a boat, and sat down, while the crowds stood on the shore; and HE spoke to them in parables about many things.
JESUS said, 'The sower went out to sow; and, as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path; and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil, and the seeds sprouted quickly, because the soil was not deep. But as soon as the sun rose, the plants were scorched; and they withered, because they had no roots. Again, other seeds fell among thistles; and the thistles grew and choked the plants. Still, other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop: some hundredfold, others sixty, and others thirty. If you have ears, then hear!'" - Matthew 13:1-9
(JESUS uses comparisons just as simple country folk and working people usually do. Proverbs and parables have always been an effective way of teaching wisdom. But we must observe that a parable is not just any comparison; its characteristic is to awaken in the listeners an awareness of their present situation and oblige them to make a decision.
For those listening to JESUS, the reign of GOD signified first of all a liberation of HIS oppressed people, and this called for clear explanation. JESUS, for HIS part, could only give an answer to those who accompanied HIM; for the kingdom is one of those things that cannot be seen as long as one has no belief in it. JESUS will only speak of it in images and we will understand according to the degree of our experience of that kingdom which is developing throughout the world.)
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