Jesus used figurative language when He thought it was helpful to the story and helpful to the hearers. He often spoke in parables. And in other places in the Bible it uses visual imagery to convey a point. But behind every one—though it be figurative—there is always a literal application for us to observe.
Luke 8:10: “And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” Not only did Jesus regularly speak in parables, but He told His disciples why He spoke in parables. Jesus wasn’t trying to be secretive or cagey, but using a parable to illustrate a spiritual truth to those willing to hear and, at the same time, concealed to those who have no interest. The advantage to knowing the truth is readily apparent to those who use it to their favor. The benefits mined from the parables reap a harvest unto the hearer. To those with the spiritual understanding to infer the message, the message becomes crystal clear.
Luke 6:48: “He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” Here the powerful use of likening our spiritual foundation to that of building our house upon a rock is related to the one who hears the words of Jesus and does them. The rock and foundation of our lives is living according to His Word. This doesn’t just make for a firm foundation, but one that can’t be shaken in the storms of life. The one whose foundation is firmly planted in Him finds that when the storm is over his house is still standing.
Psalms 23:2: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” The close relationship and blessings of walking with Jesus are conveyed here. This famous chapter which begins with ‘The Lord is my shepherd…’ goes on to illustrate the characteristics of the shepherd of our souls through visual imagery. The rest and satisfaction we find in Him is shown through a green meadow; the refreshing of our souls like a spring of water; the peace of mind like still waters. These things we find in Him show the character and nature of our Lord. And they display the blessings and rewards of being one of His sheep that the world cannot provide.
Psalms 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Later in Psalm 23 it illustrates the dark times of our lives as being ’the valley of the shadow of death’. These are the times when our fears come most to the forefront and loneliness pervades our being. But our senses overwhelm reality. Though we may feel alone, we are not. And the benefits of having His word hidden in our hearts show most through these dark days. His laws and His promises remind us of truth when falsehood tries to overwhelm us. And coming through the other side we see it was but a shadow.
Psalms 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Here we have a figurative statement juxtaposed to the literal. The Lord is a sun whose glory shines and provides light and life to all His people. He’s a shield who is gracious to His servants. And the final statement is about as literal as can be: the benefits of the righteous are never withheld from the righteous. The figurative and the literal—these things work together to reveal a God who appeals to us on an emotional level, but also shows His literal interaction in our everyday lives, and the reality of His presence in our everyday lives.
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Luke 8:10: “And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”
Luke 6:48: “He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”
Psalms 23:2: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Psalms 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalms 84:11: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”