Understanding Is Not For All

But he said unto them, not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given. Matthew 19:11 (ASV)

It is more and more common to hear these days expressions like; ¨That just isn´t for me,¨ or ¨This isn´t my style.¨ We use words such as; ¨It doesn´t go down with me,¨ and ¨I don´t go along with that.¨ These terms are so much a part of our day-to-day language that we don´t stop to consider what lies behind them.

Most Christian religions profess to believe that God should be the center-most important thing in our conscious and subconscious reality.  However we might be frightfully alone if we suggest actually pushing hard enough to the point where we bring this to pass in all actuality.

Jesus teaches us many times throughout His ministry and He reminds us in this text that not everyone will go so far as to receive understanding of a certain message or word from God.  Here it is expressed by using the word receive, other translations read; ¨live up to,¨ or ¨make room for.¨  Today we often use, ¨accept,¨ or ¨believe.¨

However we choose to draw out the words, the process is similar.  We take the power and authority that belongs to the Godhead alone, and we place it upon ourselves.  Somehow without wanting to or trying to, we displace God from His throne in our hearts and we take the seat there.  We place the judge´s wig on our own head and make whatever is in question bow to our own reason or judgment.

It should go without saying that anyone who commits such an act of treason, would not and should not receive much enlightenment into the mysteries of our Lord´s kingdom or His ways.  Why should our God confide in individuals who are bold enough to de-throne Him and remove His ultimate authority over every aspect of our lives?

Yet we do this each day and in so many ways.  Jesus´ ministry (and the entire Bible) if you care to examine carefully, was directed primarily to shifting our gaze from ourselves and return that gaze to the right and worthy figure of our God.  But it is amazing when we stop to look at ourselves and all those around us, we just don´t seem to get it, do we?

We spend most of our time relating things to ourselves as if we were the center-most important thing.  ¨How is this going to affect me?¨  ¨What is this going to cost me?¨  ¨Am I really going to be able to pull this off?¨ and ¨Will I really get the consent of my heart and soul to do what it takes to follow Jesus´ words and encouragement?¨

Once again neither the question, nor the answer lies with us.

Thank God!

And thank Jesus!

Jesus states that not all will understand.  But in saying not all, He left a window open for a few to possibly make it through.  That little window is what should make you and I get excited.  There is still a chance for you and me!

If we hold His words to be true, we know where we can go to receive healing for this disease of unbelief and turning to our ways before leaving room for His words.  Those few, precious souls who would still like to listen can have hope.  We could be among those blessed few who have been entrusted with an understanding given by Him, and grounded firmly on our looking upwards.

Dear Jesus, we are painfully aware of our tendency to steal from You Your authority and try to make things fall to our own relation to them.  Please give us hope and throw us further on You for healing from our hidden disease.  Let us be a part of that handful of children You have mentioned who have set themselves aside for You alone.  Help us to want nothing more or nothing less than You in our lives.  Open that window of understanding to us to see where we fall short and strength of faith to follow on into You.

In Your name we pray,

Amen