Scripture

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away.

Observation

Jesus sits beside the lake and a huge crowd gathers to hear him teach.

Jesus tells the story of the farmer sowing seeds into various qualities of soil. Some seeds fall onto bad soil, but the seeds that fall onto good soil are very productive.

His disciples ask Jesus why he always uses parables when he teaches. He says that the disciples are permitted to understand the secrets of God’s kingdom, but others are not. God gives abundant understanding to those who listen to Jesus’s words. For others, even the little knowledge they have will be taken away.

Application

It is interesting to think that only some people are permitted to understand the secrets of God’s kingdom. God does not throw knowledge out to everybody indiscriminately. This would be like throwing pearls to pigs.

Parables provoke us or confuse us. If we are open to God’s word, we will seek more understanding and hence, we will receive it. Those who are not open to God will reject the parables as “too hard” or “confusing” and they will not receive enlightenment.

This might seem unfair in some ways. Why should God allow some people to go deeper in wisdom but not others? But this is not how it works. Some of the most spiritually wise people I know have had little formal education but they love the Lord, and He has revealed Himself to them.

Seek the Lord while he may be found.

Prayer

Lord, please give me more of you. I don’t care so much about hidden secrets. But I do care about you. Please deepen my love and desire for you. Amen.