Parables

All this Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and spoke nothing to them without parable,  Matthew 13:34 (Byington)

Matthew 13 is full of parables Jesus used to instruct the people or us if you will, into the wealth and knowledge of how things are in the spiritual realm.

Man, since the fall has been ushered out of this garden and we no longer dwell in the spiritual realm as was intended for us.  Our journey and quest is to restore what was lost unto God and return again to the relation we once had and the home He has for us with Him there.

While we are in the flesh and dwell here in our fallen nature we have a detestable way of trying to lower all things to human standards and explications.  Jesus shared secrets of the heavenly realm or God´s kingdom that had been hidden since the beginning in parables.  (Verse 35)

We have always had this propensity of putting a final definition on everything.  When it comes to Biblical interpretation we all go running forward to place our understanding before that of the next person.  Sometimes the conflicting versions can be heatedly disputed, and even fought over.

What we should remember is that the heavenly realm or ¨kingdom of God,¨ is far above our lesser world and reduced mentality and experience.  Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard.  (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Perhaps there is no better way to describe the spiritual kingdom, than to use illustrations.  This way they are what they are, ¨illustrations¨.  They can be stories that spark our interest, instruct us and direct our gaze upwards towards our Savior and our God who do know with finality.

But for you and me to grab a text or story and say that we got everything that needed to be said there, is an affront to the whole spiritual realm. We know that the other realm exists because God has shared that fact with us.  We know too, that we are not yet permitted to see clearly all that is hidden there, but that little by little as we draw nearer, things may become clearer as He sees fit.

Let us remember first the ¨drawing nearer.¨ If things have been hidden it is because they are not safe in unworthy hands.  So if we want to know something for selfish reasons, to make ourselves bigger in some way, then our intentions are not pure even if we think they are.  Therefore, we will go off thinking we got a clearer picture than our neighbor and feel good about ourselves.  The problem is that the real or deeper meanings are for sure to have been tucked away and hidden nicely from that kind of seeker, for safe keeping.

But to those who seek first our Lord, His honor and the drawing nearer to His great heart, precious gems of deeper spiritual understanding are shared with us.  These enlightenments always serve to make God bigger and us smaller and more dependent on Him.  Any new understanding is sure to draw us nearer to Him and to overwhelm us with love.  The love we feel will reach upwards to Him and outward towards others.

Therefore dispute and quarreling should never enter the heart of the truly God-centered person.  Difference of opinion is a quality each human will need to overcome.  But even the disciples when they experienced trials of this sort, had to point up towards Jesus in the end.  It is to God that we will all have to be adjusted and not to men.

Dear Lord, please let us come and sit at Your feet.  We want to hear all Your parables to help us understand spiritual secrets and how things are in Your kingdom.  We want to be swept away with images and illustrations that fill our hearts with yearnings for You and to know more of heavenly ways.  Guard us against our tendencies and our low interpretations but let our spirits soar as we contemplate the glorious wonders of You and your home.  Then bring us safely someday to live with You there.

To glorify Your name and lift you higher we pray this today,

Amen

Scott W