“The earth is now marred and defiled by sin…. In the days of Christ,… the sinfulness of humanity had cast a pall over the fair face of creation.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 18.
The apostle Paul, who had received his education from the rabbis and, after his conversion, understood the teaching of divine revelation, received knowledge from the book of nature and wrote in his epistle to the Romans 1:19, 20: “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
“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.
“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 hear- ers 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.
“In Christ’s parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mis- sion to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine charac- ter 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.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 17.
“Again God dwelt on earth; human hearts became conscious of His pres- ence; the world was encompassed with His love. Heaven came down to men. In Christ their hearts acknowledged Him who opened to them the science of eternity.” –Education, p. 82.
Jesus was admired and recognized as the Great Teacher, even among His enemies, as recorded in John 7:46. “The officers answered, Never man spake like this Man.”
Likewise, the evangelist Matthew wrote: “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine: For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” “When He was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.” Matthew 7:28; 8:1.
In this half year, we will study a number of Jesus’ parables. They contain deep teachings to put into action and share with those around us in preparation for the coming of the eternal kingdom that we wish to inherit when the Saviour returns in glory.
“Whoever will prayerfully study the Bible, desiring to know the truth, that he may obey it, will receive divine enlightenment. He will understand the Scrip- tures. ‘If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching.’ John 7:17.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 459.
Let us pray for divine guidance, wisdom, and blessing as we study these Sabbath School Lessons.
– Brothers and sisters of the General Conference
and the Ministerial Department