October 11, 2025 -Parables, Puzzles and Symbolism

MARK 7:24-30

MATTHEW 15:21-28

MARK 7:31-37

MATTHEW 15:29-31

MARK 8:1-10

MATTHEW 15:32-16:4

MARK 8:11-21

MATTHEW 16:5-12

Chronological Bible Readings

Matthew 16:8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?

Matthew 16:11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

I have been thinking about people who don't believe that the bible should be taken word for word. I have heard people say that there isn't any hyperbole or symbolism. I don't know how anyone can read the bible and not see that even Jesus told stories that were symbolic of other things. I have been thinking this over the last few days because these reading are full of Jesus stories that are symbolic and hyperbolic. Jesus spoke in parable and puzzles because what He was teaching was not supposed to be understood by everyone. So, when we look at other books of the bible especially prophetic writings we should expect the same sort of writing. We aren't supposed to be able to understand it and figure it all out. We aren't big enough to be able to understand it all. We don't have a mind that is even remotely close to understanding God's plans so why would we think we can? Even Jesus disciples couldn't figure things out on their own. Jesus had to break everything down for them and they still didn't get it. The didn't get His words or His actions. Look at how they had forgotten about the feeding of the 5000 when Jesus told them to feed the 4000.