“Our Saviour’s parables are distinguished above all others for clearness, purity, chasteness, intelligibility, importance of instruction, and simplicity. They are taken mostly from the affairs of common life, and are intelligible, therefore, to all men.”—_Dr. Albert Barnes, on Matt. 13:3._ 4. Following one of His parables, what did Christ say? “Who hath ears to hear let him hear.” Matt. 13:9. 5. What question did the disciples then ask? “And the disciples came, and said unto Him, _Why speakest Thou unto them in parables_?” Verse 10. 6. What reply did Christ make? “He answered and said unto them, _Because it is given unto __ you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven_, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” Verses 11-13. NOTE.—Christ’s object, therefore, in using parables was to teach the mysteries, or truths, of the kingdom of heaven,—truths not necessarily difficult to understand, but which had long been hidden or obscured by sin, apostasy, and tradition,—in such a way that the spiritually minded and those desirous of learning the truth, might understand them, and the worldly-minded and unwilling would not. When asked the meaning of any parable, Christ readily explained it to His disciples. See Luke 8:9-15; Matt. 13:36-43; Mark 4:33,34. 7. After giving instruction by the use of parables, what question did Christ ask His disciples? “Jesus saith unto them, _Have ye understood all these things?_ They say unto Him, Yea, Lord.” Verse 51. 8. How extensively did Christ make use of parables? “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and _without a parable spake He not unto them_.” Verse 34. NOTE.—Parables are simply stories. All, young and old, like to hear a story. Story-telling is one of the most successful means of awakening an interest, securing attention, and teaching, illustrating, and enforcing important truths. Christ, the greatest of all teachers, recognized this, and therefore made constant use of this method of instruction. See reading on “Preaching the Gospel,” page 631. 9. How did Christ suggest that His disciples follow His example in teaching gospel truth? “Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, _which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old_.” Verse 52. 10. Which are some of the most touching and soul-winning of Christ’s parables? The parable of the lost sheep, and that of the prodigal son. Luke 15:3-7, 11-32.