What Jesus Did! 'Telling Stories' — Mark 4:1-2

I find it interesting when a good preacher or Bible teacher is criticized for telling too many stories. Yes, there are some speakers who go only for the emotional tug on people's hearts by telling one story after another. On the other hand, not only do we need to pay attention to WHAT Jesus taught, but we also need to notice HOW he taught it! Jesus engaged people's imaginations and made everyday events, images, and experiences into hooks on which he could hang God's truth about the Kingdom. One of the reasons that he attracted large crowds involved his miracles. But, Jesus was very careful not to allow himself to become "The Miracle Man." Interestingly, he was not called the Healer, but the Teacher! His words were powerful because they were true. His teaching was influential because it carried with it the ring of heaven's truth. But let's not forget that his teaching was popular because he knew how to engage people's hearts, minds, and imaginations when he taught. One of the ways he did that was telling stories. Amazingly, these stories still speak to us today!