In the Gospel of Mark, there are eight parables, stories to illustrate a profound, valuable moral lesson. Jesus uses parables to reveal mysteries to His followers and to conceal truth from those opposed to Him. However, His parables are not always easy to understand. Even His own disciples often asked Jesus to explain the stories to them. Through His parables, Jesus taught that God’s Kingdom would be established through love, service, and sacrifice, and was ultimately seen in His own display of love, service, and sacrifice at the cross. People need to decide whether or not they will submit to this Servant King or reject Him.