Introduction
The book of Psalms gives several prophecies about Christ Jesus. One of such prophecies is the fact that Jesus would mostly speak in parables. This thesis seeks to detail the reason why it is believed that such prophesy points to the Messiah.
Speaking in parables
The Psalmist made a prophetic statement in his writing and stated that:
“I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us” (Psa 78:2-3).
The use of the word ´parable´ has a wide range of meanings including the use of poems, allegory, metaphors, oracles, and analogies, among others. The ´dark sayings´ on the other hand, are the deep sayings or mysteries of God which are meant to be understood by a careful study of His word. Jesus refers to the dark sayings as those “things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” (Mat 13:34-35).
Jesus, in His teachings as a great teacher and a philosopher, spoke a number of parables in the thirteenths chapter of the book of Mathew. In referring to them, the author writes that all those things were spoken by Jesus to the multitudes in parables so that it might fulfill that which was written by the prophet in Psalms as cited above (Mat 13:34-35). When Jesus was asked his reason for His use of parables, He mentioned that it is given to the people of the Kingdom to comprehend the dark sayings of the Kingdom of God but not to the people of the world (Mat 13:10-11), because though they see, they do not see it rightly, in hearing, they do not hear it properly, and neither do they comprehend what they hear (Mat 13:13).
Heard, known and taught
Jesus did not intend to teach us anything new except those things which have already been taught by His fathers, vis-a-vis the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets. He constantly referred His listeners to the established teachings of the holy scriptures (Luk 10:26, Joh 5:39). Paul admonished Timothy to commit those things which he has heard and learned from him to other faithful brethren who would also be able to teach others (2Ti 2:2). Trying to teach a new doctrine would only make one an apostate.
The continuity of our Christian faith is about passing on of the learned tradition and teachings to the younger generation. Jesus and His disciples only expanded the teachings as they appear in the scriptures, and what they experienced as they walked with Christ. Luke indicates that he writes to declare those things that are most surely believed among them as they were delivered unto them, and as eyewitnesses and ministers from the beginning of the time they began to walk with Christ (Luk 1:1-4). The basis of our faith is the authentic doctrine of Christ.
Conclusion
Jesus is a man full of wisdom and the knowledge of God. He has insight into speaking and explaining parables, as well as dark sayings of the old. The psalms is one of the books that prophesies about the supremacy and the deity of Christ.
Prayer: May the good Lord enlighten us and give us a perfect understanding of the bible and the teachings of Christ. Amen.