How well do you pick up the meaning of analogies, metaphors, riddles, proverbs, or parables? If an analogy is used to get a point across, does it help you to understand? Are there some analogies that are easier for you to understand than others?
Whether we think about it or not, we use analogies quite often. He is faster than a racehorse. She is more beautiful than a rose. A person put in a bad situation can be like a wild animal backed into a corner. A mother protects her children like a hen protecting her chicks.
We also use proverbs quite often. A stitch in time saves nine. Even a rose has its thorns. A penny saved is a penny earned. Actions speak louder than words. All that glitters is not gold. A picture is worth a thousand words. All good things come to an end. Beggars can’t be choosers. Never judge a book by its cover. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again. You reap what you sow. The early bird catches the worm. The more, the merrier. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
Jesus used these types of sayings in His teachings. Some of them were culturally significant, meaning they made sense to the first century Jews, but may be difficult for us to understand. Some of them we understand more easily. We can understand all of them if we are willing to do a little research and study God’s Word.
Some of the sayings Jesus used had prophetic meaning and were not easily understood. When Jesus was standing in the Temple grounds, He spoke of the temple being destroyed and raising it up in three days. Those around Him thought He was speaking of the building, but He was speaking about Himself.
Give this analogy a moment’s thought. If Jesus’ body was equated to the temple, shouldn’t we consider our bodies a temple? After all, the same Holy Spirit that alighted on Jesus at His baptism is the same Holy Spirit God gives us. Since God is living inside us, just as he lived in the tent of meeting as the Israelites were travelling from Egypt to the promise land, doesn’t that make us a temple? We would do well to consider ourselves a temple of God. It can be a life altering attitude.
I pray we all seek to understand the parables Jesus spoke. I pray we spend time researching them and reading our Bibles. I pray each one of us will think of ourselves as temples of God. Seek to understand Jesus’ parables. Read God’s Word. Think of yourself as a temple. Treat your body as God’s temple.
John 2:19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Marty Pressey 