Jesus used parables or stories to teach timeless truths. In Matthew 13:10-17 we see an example of this concept.

“10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

George MacDonald followed Christ’s example by using stories to teach us about God. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis also followed in MacDonald’s footsteps, writing stories with deeper meanings hidden in the story. They were Christ figures. Jesus instructed us with the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations. Tolkien and Lewis were discipled by MacDonald. Even though these men were emulating Chris,t they were human and indeed flawed men, although we like to put them on a pedestal at times. No one is perfect except Jesus. He was the ultimate storyteller. But these men were being transformed into the image of Christ, and so are we. There are so many parables told by our Lord in Scripture and so many stories by these authors to help us in our journey to know Christ. In Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

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