His messages of mercy were varied to suit His audience. He knew "how to speak a word in season to him that is weary" (Isa. 50:4); for grace was poured upon His lips, that He might convey to men in the most attractive way the treasures of truth. He had tact to meet the prejudiced minds, and surprise them with illustrations that won their attention.Through the imagination He reached the heart. His illustrations were taken from the things of daily life, and although they were simple, they had in them a wonderful depth of meaning. The birds of the air, the lilies of the field, the seed, the shepherd and the sheep,--with these objects Christ illustrated immortal truth; and ever afterward, when His hearers chanced to see these things of nature, they recalled His words. Christ's illustrations constantly repeated His lessons.

Hans nådebudskab lød forskelligt for at kunne nå ud til hans tilhørere. Han vidste, hvordan han "skulle vide at styrke de trætte med ord" (Es. 50,4); thi hans ord var livsalige, for at han på den mest tillokkende måde kunne lede mennesker til sandhedens skatkammer. Han havde indfølingsevne til at møde de forud indtagne sjæle og overraske dem med billedtale, som fangede deres opmærksomhed.Ved fantasiens hjælp nåede han ind til hjertet. Hans eksempler stammede fra dagliglivets begivenheder, og skønt de var ganske enkle, ejede de en vidunderlig dyb betydning. Fuglene i luften, liljerne på marken, hyrden, sæden og fårene, med disse emner skildrede Kristus den udødelige sandhed, og siden hen, når hans tilhørere tilfældigvis mødte noget af dette i naturen, huskede de på hans ord. De billeder, Kristus brugte, gentog bestandig hans lære.