In Christ's parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men. So it was in Christ's teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar. The Scripture says, "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; . . . that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." Matt. 13:34, 35. Natural things were the medium for the spiritual; the things of nature and the life-experience of His hearers were connected with the truths of the written word. Leading thus 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. {COL 17.1, 2}

In Christ's parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world. (This is the theological thesis of the entire introduction of the book) That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. (This is expanded on via the use of a chiasmus) A. Divinity was revealed in humanity; (God enters the realm of the known, because humanity could not ascend to God) B. the invisible glory in the visible human form. (God reveals Himself through the familiar, because humanity could not perceive the divine unaided) C. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; (God's purpose,that humanity could learn what they otherwise could not, is accomplished though this method) B' heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; (God uses earthly forms to communicate heavenly truth, because humanity could not learn heavenly truth directly) A' God was made manifest in the likeness of men. (God makes Himself accessible through humanity, because humanity could not bridge the gap between the finite and the infinite) So it was in Christ's teaching (The underlying principle in Christ's parables and in his mission: The divine method of bringing salvation to man is God adapting Himself to human perception to reveal what they could no longer see. This is repeated to emphasize its importance): - the unknown was illustrated by the known; (Chiasm C) - divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar.- (Chiasm B-B') - The Scripture says, "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; . . . that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." Matt. 13:34-35. - (Chiasm A-A') (Now that we understand the principle and the method, we now learn how Christ's parables contribute to and are used towards accomplishing his mission of revealing the secrets which had been kept: It is the tool which connects and leads) 1. Natural things were the medium (the tool, the vehicle) for the spiritual; 2. the things of nature and the life-experience of His hearers were connected with the truths of the written word. 3. Leading thus from the natural to the spiritual kingdom, Christ's parables are links in the chain of truth (the divine revelation - direct contact - I.e. how God spoke directly with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel, Noah, Job, Moses as well as with the prophets -> the written word - the Old Testament -> divine revelation - Emmanuel -> the written word - the New Testament) that unites man with God, and earth with heaven. (This is the theological summary and conclusion of the introduction of the book.)