Why Jesus Told Stories

Why do you create? It’s a really important question.

While there may be a million possible reasons, Jesus offers the ultimate response.

After a long day of telling parables to a mesmerized crowd, his disciples asked, “Jesus, why do you tell stories?” His answer is simple yet stunning. “I tell stories to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening.” (paraphrase from Matthew 13:10-13 MSG)

Human creations do a lot of things. Some entertain. Others educate. And a growing number, unfortunately, seek only to indoctrinate. But Jesus offers a better option. Art to create readiness. To gently nudge those who experience it to an awakening.

Do your creations—whatever they may be—create readiness in those who experience them?

Does your art nudge people towards a welcome awakening?

Those are two essential questions if you want your art to contain an eternal spark.

But our creations are meant to do even more. Don’t miss this jaw-dropping insight later in the same setting: All Jesus did that day was tell stories—a long storytelling afternoon. His storytelling fulfilled the prophecy: I will open my mouth and tell stories; I will bring out into the open things hidden since the world’s first day. (Matthew 13:34-35 MSG)

Through story, Jesus opened his mouth to bring into the open what was lost, stolen, or forgotten since creation. Imagine that. Your creations have the potential to bring into the open things hidden from the time of Eden. But only if you pursue them, through your art, with the Creator.

This reading was crafted to encourage your pursuit of story and creativity with God. Your donation makes this crowd-funded initiative possible. You can support it via PAYPAL (or by check to Allen Arnold at PO Box 62841, Colorado Springs, CO 80962).

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