Today we read a series of Parables that Jesus told crowds of people while he was sitting beside the Sea of Galilee.
It might be helpful to put a working definition of a parable out here. A parable is a story that has common, familiar, even earthy elements that display a spiritual truth. The word parable comes to us from Greek and can be literally understood as something thrown along side something else. They’re comparisons or similes. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to . . . ,” or, “The kingdom of heaven is like . . . .”
When he was asked why he used parables Jesus says that it’s intentional. No matter who hears them, they’ll understand something, but to those outside the kingdom they also conceal the deeper message.
Why conceal the message? I’ve been wrestling with that question. Matthew quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 about hearing, but never understanding, seeing but not perceiving and hearts growing dull, and it seems to me that this goes back to the way Jesus was challenging people’s preconceived notions during the Sermon on the Mount. When people came to him who “knew” what God was all about, like the Pharisees and other religious leaders, but who didn’t really know what God was all about (they still had to learn, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”) they could hear the parable and understand something – but not necessarily the truth. It’s only with the Spirit of God teaching us that we set aside our notions and simply allow Jesus to tell us about God, the Kingdom, the Gospel , or whatever else, and we will truly understand it. 1 Corinthians 2:14 – The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
In some ways this is an act of judgment on those who would not believe Jesus’ message. It carries an implied message: “You don’t get it, but we do.” “You think you’re in with God, but you’re not.” The goal being that they’ll begin to challenge those notions and then listen to Jesus.
I want to emphasize this. Who do the parables exclude? The people who think they’ve got God all figured out.
Who do they include? Jesus says, “He who has ears, let him hear.” What is a little tricky here is that some of the images have historical and cultural baggage that we need to be willing to do a little digging in to understand. I’ve never seen someone sow seeds. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a mustard plant. Why would treasure be hidden a field? A good study Bible can help overcome some of that.
Let’s listen to Jesus and allow him to show us the kingdom, teach us about the Gospel, and help us to know the Father’s love. We can trust the Holy Spirit to guide us to faith and understanding. He wants us to know God’s love for us.
Father, please send me your Holy Spirit that I might understand your Word. Give me ears to hear and a heart to learn. Then help me live in the truth that Jesus teaches us and the salvation he has won for us. Amen.
It might be helpful to put a working definition of a parable out here. A parable is a story that has common, familiar, even earthy elements that display a spiritual truth. The word parable comes to us from Greek and can be literally understood as something thrown along side something else. They’re comparisons or similes. “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to . . . ,” or, “The kingdom of heaven is like . . . .”
When he was asked why he used parables Jesus says that it’s intentional. No matter who hears them, they’ll understand something, but to those outside the kingdom they also conceal the deeper message.
Why conceal the message? I’ve been wrestling with that question. Matthew quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 about hearing, but never understanding, seeing but not perceiving and hearts growing dull, and it seems to me that this goes back to the way Jesus was challenging people’s preconceived notions during the Sermon on the Mount. When people came to him who “knew” what God was all about, like the Pharisees and other religious leaders, but who didn’t really know what God was all about (they still had to learn, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”) they could hear the parable and understand something – but not necessarily the truth. It’s only with the Spirit of God teaching us that we set aside our notions and simply allow Jesus to tell us about God, the Kingdom, the Gospel , or whatever else, and we will truly understand it. 1 Corinthians 2:14 – The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
In some ways this is an act of judgment on those who would not believe Jesus’ message. It carries an implied message: “You don’t get it, but we do.” “You think you’re in with God, but you’re not.” The goal being that they’ll begin to challenge those notions and then listen to Jesus.
I want to emphasize this. Who do the parables exclude? The people who think they’ve got God all figured out.
Who do they include? Jesus says, “He who has ears, let him hear.” What is a little tricky here is that some of the images have historical and cultural baggage that we need to be willing to do a little digging in to understand. I’ve never seen someone sow seeds. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a mustard plant. Why would treasure be hidden a field? A good study Bible can help overcome some of that.
Let’s listen to Jesus and allow him to show us the kingdom, teach us about the Gospel, and help us to know the Father’s love. We can trust the Holy Spirit to guide us to faith and understanding. He wants us to know God’s love for us.
Father, please send me your Holy Spirit that I might understand your Word. Give me ears to hear and a heart to learn. Then help me live in the truth that Jesus teaches us and the salvation he has won for us. Amen.
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