Metaphors and similes are ways of talking about one thing by referring to another—and judging from the gospels, it was Jesus’ preferred method of teaching. He was forever making comparisons. Sinners are like lost sheep … preaching is like scattering seed across different kinds of soil … heaven is like a wedding banquet … God is like the generous owner of a vineyard.

However, have you ever wondered why Jesus taught this way? Why didn’t he just come right out and say what he meant, rather than always talking in figures of speech?

Let’s face it; if anyone in the world was qualified to speak directly about God, it was Jesus. And yet, he very rarely does. He gives us a multitude of analogies, but precious little in terms of specifics. Why is that?

Some have suggested that it’s because of the nature of what he is discussing. God’s ways are not our ways, after all; and thus, it’s naïve to think that, with our limited vocabulary (and even more limited understanding), we could ever come close to accurately describing the Almighty.

Or to put it another way, the reason Jesus spoke about God in analogies is because that’s the only way that humankind can talk about God. Try as we might, our words will always prove inadequate when it comes to portraying One who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, and omnipotent.

But I have a different theory. I’d like to suggest that the reason Jesus spoke about heavenly things in terms of farmers and fields, and women baking bread, and merchants buying and selling, is because he wanted us to take note of the fact that God’s presence can also be found in the ordinary activities of life.

Even on the dullest, most routine of days, there are moments of glorious revelation—if we just keep our eyes open and pay attention!