MARCH 16 - JESUS TEACHES IN PARABLES
READ Matthew 13
Jesus continues teaching with parables, then returns to His hometown of Nazareth.
INSIGHT
Throughout His ministry, there are periods during which Jesus teaches extensively in parables. Often the multitudes do not understand the meaning of the parables, but Jesus is careful to explain them to His disciples. This pattern is illustrative of God’s ways: to those who are the most receptive to truth, the Lord grants understanding. However, for those who do not receive the truth, greater understanding is not given. Light received brings greater light; light rejected leaves darkness. If you hunger for greater spiritual understanding, it is vital that you strive for faithfulness in what you do understand. Then light received can bring more light in your life.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the God of light in the words of this psalm:
Your throne, God, is forever and ever;
the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of joy more than your companions
(Psalm 45:6-7).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but I will have compassion on you
with everlasting love,
says the Lord your Redeemer
(Isaiah 54:8).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Be strong, and let your heart be courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord
(Psalm 31:24).
Jesus continues teaching with parables, then returns to His hometown of Nazareth.
INSIGHT
Throughout His ministry, there are periods during which Jesus teaches extensively in parables. Often the multitudes do not understand the meaning of the parables, but Jesus is careful to explain them to His disciples. This pattern is illustrative of God’s ways: to those who are the most receptive to truth, the Lord grants understanding. However, for those who do not receive the truth, greater understanding is not given. Light received brings greater light; light rejected leaves darkness. If you hunger for greater spiritual understanding, it is vital that you strive for faithfulness in what you do understand. Then light received can bring more light in your life.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the God of light in the words of this psalm:
Your throne, God, is forever and ever;
the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of joy more than your companions
(Psalm 45:6-7).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but I will have compassion on you
with everlasting love,
says the Lord your Redeemer
(Isaiah 54:8).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- Greater passion for moral excellence
- The ministry of Christian educational institutions
- Your activities for the day
- Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Be strong, and let your heart be courageous,
all you who put your hope in the Lord
(Psalm 31:24).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2026.