Scripture

Jesus replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God, but I use parables for everything I say to outsiders.”

Observation

A large crowd gathers as Jesus teaches. He tells many parables, including the familiar parable about the farmer sowing seeds. Some seed falls on paths, some on shallow soil or amongst weeds. But the yield from the seeds that fall on the good soil makes up for those losses.

Later, the disciples ask Jesus why he always uses parables in his teaching. He tells them that while they have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom, those who are on the outside continue to hear but do not understand.

Jesus then goes on to explain the parable.

Application

We always assume that God should want to make everything clear to us, like a patient teacher explaining simple ideas to a child. After all, if it is Good News, why would he not want us to know all the details?

Such thinking arises from our sense of entitlement in a consumer society. We have rights! But God is under no obligation to us. He is God.

Jesus taught in parables to make truth obvious to those who hearts are soft but conceal it from tthose who hearts are hard. He paints a picture but he does not make us look at it.

God’s grace is abundant to all people. He sows seed in the soil that he knows will be too hard and in soil that he knows will be taken over by weeds. Everybody gets a chance to repent, but not everybody will.

Listen

Lord, what do you want to say to me about this parable?

Keith, my grace is without measure. Many hearts will never respond to me, but that is not because they have never heard the gospel.

It is not how the gospel is received at first that makes the difference, but how the person matures. Some people seem to take years for the seed to germinate. Others respond quickly but then fail under pressure.

Hang in with those who struggle and encourage them to keep growing towards me. Never lose patience with them, but allow them to make progress in their own way.