Matthew 13:3 “And he spake many things unto them in parables,…”

Jesus used parables (stories) to help explain his gospel. The parables were a kind of code that hid the meaning from those who were not prepared to receive it and clarified it to those who were prepared. I can follow Jesus’ example by sharing my thoughts, feelings and messages with those who need it but not with those who don’t. I don’t have to tell everything to everyone. (For Jesus words on this see Matthew 13:10-13) Sometimes it is necessary to protect ourselves.
 

Matthew 13:1 “The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. “

In this verse, Jesus took time to sit and be in nature. Then when He needed to attend to the multitude, He kept himself separate from the crowd and sat in the ship. I believe this is an example of Jesus taking time for and taking care of Himself. He spent time alone and maybe He meditated or rested. He kept himself safe while He took care of the multitude. I can follow Jesus’ example when I take time for myself to meditate or rest and to keep myself safe even when there are those who need me.
Showing us an example of balance, after Jesus had taken time for Himself, then He took care of the needs of the multitude and spoke to them as seen in the next verse.