Day 246: Matthew 13:1-53; Mark 4:1-34; Luke 8:1-18

Jesus told a lot of stories. In fact, in today's section of scripture Matthew says:

...he did not say anything to them without using a parable. (Matthew 13:34)

The disciples were curious about this...

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 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. This is why I speak to them in parables: 

   “Though seeing, they do not see;
   though hearing, they do not hear or understand. (Matthew 13:10-13)

I wasn't really curious about why Jesus spoke in parables...I thought I understood that. Stories are a great way to teach important lessons. They stay with you...plus, you can pack several layers of lessons into one story so that a listener is still learning from the story long after the teaching is over. But it's Jesus' answer to the disciples' question that makes me curious. It almost sounds as if he is intentionally keeping these important lessons about the kingdom out of reach. These people need to understand. Why would he not help them by making it clear? I know that God's desire is for everyone to come to Him so I know He is not intentionally
keeping them from understanding what they need to know. Consequently, there must be another way of understanding Jesus' response. I do think it's true that some people are way more receptive and open to spiritual teaching than others. Maybe this is where the explanation lies. I need to think about this more.

I do know that growth of understanding in a person's heart and life is something that is really out of our control. We may do all we can to help in this process but ultimately it is the work of the Spirit in a person's life...and their willingness to allow Him to work...that causes growth:

Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. (Mark 4:27)

Jesus did take the time to explain all the parables to his disciples...

But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. (Mark 4:34)

The cool thing is that, because these explanations are recorded in scripture, we get in on the same insight that was given to Jesus' closest followers. We get the inside info. So, when Jesus says this to his disciples he is also saying it to us...

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 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. (Matthew 13:16-17)