Do We Understand the Parables?

And the disciples approached and said to him ¨Why do you speak to them in parables?¨  Matthew 13:10  (Byington)

The words of Jesus, being of spiritual context, can and do have levels or layers of truth.  Jesus Christ was the very Son of God came down to dwell on earth in a human body.  However impossible it was for Deity to become flesh and bone, He accomplished this and brought with Him some of His traits from His true kingdom and home.

One of these special qualities was that the words Jesus used carried special weight and power.  You and I may say a word and mean that word to signify just what you said.  However the Son of God says a word and that word can and should have the ability to heal and instruct on many different levels to people in any age or geographical location.

The apostle John recognized this basic truth and expressed it by calling Jesus the Word.  We often refer to the Bible as the Living Word and it is because the words written in the Bible have this quality about them.  They are just as relevant and hold healing and instruction on so many different levels and in so many different ways to people everywhere and anywhere.

In Matthew 13 verses 1 through 23, is the story of Jesus by the sea when He told the parable of the sower and the seeds.  The hearers were amazed and entertained by His stories and for sure felt wonderfully blessed by the ministry they were hearing.  But the disciples were given a deeper explanation into the meaning of the story.

Here we who read the familiar story today can easily see two different levels of teaching from Jesus´ words.  We can be like the first group of listeners and let our hearts be lifted up in a sense of wonder after God and be drawn closer to Him in some simple way.  Or we can be like the disciples who press closer to Jesus to find further instruction for a far closer walk with Him.

We could also limit the scriptures here and step back and say that there is no further instruction to find within the words and say that we understand all there is here. But this is dangerous in that it limits the Spirit, Jesus our Savior and builds parameters for God Almighty.

Jesus uses the words in verse 9, ¨Let him that has ears, listen.¨ (Reference Bible)

Whenever Jesus uses these words, perhaps we should stop immediately and turn to Him in prayer.  It comes across as a key to unlock special understanding into spiritual things.  To those who do not have spiritual things in mind, the words may simply seem poetic.  But to the people whose hearts burn to know Jesus fuller, it is the deep calling unto the deep.

If your hope is truly set on going the distance and you are willing to take the Spirit´s encouragement to seek deeper into the wealth of knowing God, then words like these spark a little fire of interest and there is only one way you will want to go.  That would be to seek to draw nearer still to the great heart of Jesus in prayer and actuality and the scriptures will be your vital tool.

As I write, I am not encouraged to try to give any special interpretation or draw attention to myself.  What comes in overbearing waves is that those of us called by a special bent to seek Jesus and know Him more; there are so many deep and wonderful treasures for us to find in Him.

It remains for the hearer of the words of Jesus, to seek to have ears for Him.  Don´t you want to be one of those who receive special personal instruction?  Or do you prefer to accept the interpretation you first understood from the word of God?

Dear Lord, You are so much greater than we can possibly imagine, please help us to start demonstrating to You our faith in that fact and giving You the honor for all that is within Your capabilities, even to Your words.

Amen

Scott W