Answer:

In Christ's parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His mission to the world. Christ took our nature and dwelt among us so we might become acquainted with His divine character and life. John 1:14. Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. John 14:9. Men and women could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7.

So it was in Christ's teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths were revealed by earthly things with which the people were most familiar. All was made simple to understand but not compulsory to accept.

Leading from the natural to the spiritual kingdom, Christ's parables are links in the chain of truth that unites man with God, and earth with heaven. In His teaching from nature, Christ was speaking of the things which His own hands had made, and which had qualities and powers that He Himself had given them. John 1:3.

In their original perfection all created things were an expression of the thought of God. To Adam and Eve in their Eden home their surroundings were full of the knowledge of God, teeming with divine instruction, enough to last for eternity. Wisdom spoke to their eyes and in this way was received into their hearts, for they saw God through His created works. See Job 38:36.

Christ sought to remove that which obscured the truth. He came to draw aside the veil that sin has cast over the face of nature, bringing to view the spiritual glory that all things were created to reflect. His words placed the teachings of nature as well as the words of the Bible in a new aspect, and made them a new revelation. Matthew 13:51-52. He ignored the sacrificial system in His teaching because He knew it would cease when the temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70AD. Colossians 2:14.

He gave the lesson,

Then followed with the sweet assurance,

In the sermon on the mount these words were spoken to the multitude, among whom were men and women full of worries and perplexities, and sore with disappointment and sorrow. So Jesus continued:

Then spreading out His hands to the surrounding multitude, He said,

Thus Christ interpreted the message which He Himself had given to the lilies and the grass of the field. He desires us to read it in every plant and every blade of grass. His words are full of assurance, and tend to confirm trust in God, the Provider of all.

In the earlier part of His ministry, Christ had spoken to the people in words so plain that all His hearers might have grasped truths which would have made them wise to salvation. But in many hearts the truth had taken no root, and it had been quickly caught away. See Matthew 13:3-9.

Although Jesus desired to awaken inquiry many had closed their eyes and ears. But He still sought to arouse the careless, and impress truth upon their hearts, for that would lead to their salvation. Parable teaching was popular, and commanded the respect and attention, not only of the Jews, but of the people of other nations. No more effective method of instruction could He have employed. If His hearers had desired a knowledge of divine things, they might have understood His words, for He was always willing to explain them to the honest inquirer. Mark 4:33-34. Today, the Spirit continues that work. John 14:26.

Again, Christ had new truths to present which the people were unprepared to accept or even to understand at that time. See Matthew 13:52. For this reason also He taught them in parables. By connecting His teaching with the scenes of life, experience, or nature, He got their attention and impressed their hearts for future understanding. Afterward, as they looked upon the objects that illustrated His lessons, they recalled the words of the divine Teacher. To minds that were open to the Holy Spirit, the significance of the Saviour's teaching unfolded more and more. Mysteries grew clear, and that which had been hard to grasp became evident.

Jesus sought a way to reach every heart. By using a variety of illustrations, He not only presented truth in its different phases, but appealed to the different hearers. Farmers, shepherds, fishermen, kings and beggars, women in their houses, children in their play, all had their interest aroused by figures drawn from the surroundings of their daily life. None who listened to the Saviour could feel that they were neglected or forgotten. The humblest, the most sinful, heard in His teaching a voice that spoke to them in sympathy and tenderness.

And He had yet another reason for teaching in parables. Among the multitudes that gathered about Him, there were priests and rabbis, scribes and elders, Herodians and rulers, world-loving, bigoted, ambitious men, who desired above all things to find some accusation against Him. Their spies followed His steps day after day, to catch from His lips something that would cause His condemnation, and forever silence the One who seemed to draw the world after Him. Luke 20:19-20.

The Saviour understood the character of these men, and He presented truth in such a way that they could find nothing by which to bring His case before the Sanhedrim. In parables He rebuked the hypocrisy and wicked works of those who occupied high positions, and in figurative language clothed truth of so cutting a character that had it been spoken in direct denunciation, they would not have listened to His words, and would speedily have put an end to His ministry. But while He evaded the spies, He made truth so clear to the congregation that error was clearly shown, and the honest in heart were profited by His lessons. John 7:46. Divine wisdom, infinite grace, were made plain by the things of God's creation. Through nature, and the experiences of life, men and women were taught of God.

In the Saviour's parable teaching is an indication of what constitutes the true "higher education." Christ might have opened to men and women the deepest truths of science. He might have unlocked mysteries which have required many centuries of toil and study to penetrate. He might have made suggestions in scientific lines that would have afforded food for thought and stimulus for invention to the close of time. But He did not do this. He said nothing to gratify curiosity, or to satisfy man's ambition by opening doors to worldly greatness.

In all His teaching, Christ brought the mind of man in contact with the Infinite Mind. He did not direct the people to study men's theories about God, His word, or His works. He taught them to behold Him for themselves as shown in His works, in His word, and by His providences.

Christ did not deal in abstract theories, but in that which is essential to the development of character, that which will enlarge our capacity for knowing God, and increase our efficiency to do good. He spoke to us of those truths that relate to the conduct of life, and that take hold upon eternity.

It was Christ who directed the education of Israel of old. Concerning the commandments and ordinances of the LORD He told them,

In His own teaching, Jesus showed how this command is to be fulfilled - how the laws and principles of God's kingdom can be so presented as to reveal their beauty and preciousness. When the LORD was training Israel to be the special representatives of Himself, He gave them homes among the hills and valleys away from the cities. That way, in their home life and their religious service they were brought in constant contact with nature and with the word of God.

So Christ taught His disciples by the lake, on the mountainside, in the fields and groves, where they could look upon the things of nature by which He illustrated His teachings. And as they learned of Christ, they put their knowledge to use by co-operating with Him in His work.

So through the creation we are to become acquainted with the Creator.

look at a sunset - what do you see? A Creator with a sense of beauty;

look at a giraffe - what do you see? A Creator with a sense of humour;

look at a spider - what do you see? A Creator with the value of persistence;

look at a mother - what do you see? A Creator with an emotion of love. Etc. etc.

The book of nature is a great lesson book, which in connection with the Scriptures we are to use in teaching others of His character, and guiding lost sheep back to the fold of God, if they are willing. Psalm 119:176. As the works of God are studied, the Holy Spirit will flash conviction into the mind. It is not the conviction that logical reasoning produces; but unless the mind has become too dark to know God, the eye too dim to see Him, the ear too dull to hear His voice, a deeper meaning is grasped, and the sublime, spiritual truths of the written word are impressed on the heart.

In these lessons direct from nature, there is a simplicity and purity that makes them of the highest value. We all need the teaching to be derived from this source. In itself the beauty of the countryside leads the soul away from sin and worldly attractions, and toward purity, peace, and God. There are those whose minds are occupied with men's theories and speculations, falsely called science and philosophy. They need to be brought into close contact with nature. We should teach them that creation and Christianity have one God. Let them be taught to see the harmony of the natural with the spiritual. Let everything which their eyes see or their hands handle be made a lesson in character building. Thus their mental powers will be strengthened, the character developed, the whole life ennobled.

Christ's purpose in parable teaching was also in direct line with the purpose of the Sabbath. God gave to mankind the memorial of His creative power, that we might discern Him in the works of His hand, for the Sabbath is an opportunity for us to cease our work and behold in His created works the glory of the Creator. On the holy rest day, above all other days, we should study the messages that God has written for us in nature. We should study the Saviour's parables where He spoke them, in the fields and groves, under the open sky, among the grass and flowers. As we come close to the heart of nature, Christ will make His presence real to us, and speak to our hearts of His peace and love.

And Christ has linked His teaching, not only with the day of rest, but also with the week of toil. He has wisdom for him who drives the plough and sows the seed. In the ploughing and sowing, the tilling and reaping, in the growth of all, He teaches us to see an illustration of His work of grace in the heart. Even today, in every line of useful labour and every association of life, He desires us to find a lesson of divine truth. Then our daily toil will no longer absorb our attention and lead us to forget God; it will continually remind us of our Creator and Redeemer. And the thought of God may run like a thread of gold also through all our home cares and occupations.

Then for us the glory of His face will again rest upon the face of nature. We shall ever be learning new lessons of heavenly truth, and growing into the image of His purity. Thus shall we "be taught of the LORD"; and in the lot wherein we are called, we shall "abide with God." Isaiah 54:13; 1 Corinthians 7:24.