As Much As

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.  He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Mark 4:33-34 (NIV)

“As much as they could understand, as they were able to….”, and according to their ability.”  These are various translation´s words to describe how the Savior taught His listeners.  Each one gives a sense of degree in which it was received.  He spoke in parables; some enjoyed the stories but received less instruction.  Others could and willed to receive more and for them the instruction was more complete.  Then when the Disciples were alone with Him, even more was revealed to them as Jesus led them further down the road of understanding.

The point however is not our take on Jesus´ words, but rather what sort of reaction it brings inside of us.

Perhaps there are those who would like to sit aloof and say that they have already found all the instruction that the Lord intended for them.  To them, the degree in which they have is set.  They have as much of the Lord as the really want.  Unfortunately, this is not the kind of attitude Jesus encouraged.  Wouldn´t we all like to think of ourselves as being one of those few in whom the Lord confided more of His secrets and led deeper into His kingdom?

Those fishermen and less educated men who followed Jesus could not match up against the Pharisees and teachers of the law who had a long history of studies to back them up and came from finer schools.  The edge they had was not that they had more of the Scriptures dissected for them or learned by heart.  Their advantage was that they found the person, they had Jesus.  Those simple men went directly to the source and first-hand knowledge of the One we seek.  The words of God were given to them not in cold print, but in living experience.  Jesus conveys His teachings to us in parables “as we are able”.  Who of us are pressing close to hear His deeper intended meanings?

The words of Jesus are sweet indeed.  We may enjoy them immensely and take our instruction with a smile.  But there are those who will wait patiently till after the crowd has cleared.  They will seek a moment alone with their Savior and press Him further for the pertinence of the Word.  These souls are afflicted with an acute need to draw closer to the intentions and true heart of their God.  They will not settle for what the others casually took and went away with satisfied.  They want more and they are going to get it!

Dear Jesus, preach on.  Let Your words, Your stories and Your instructions fall on open ears.  There is nothing we want more than to receive more of You.  Others may be satisfied with the first or the pleasant parts of Your teachings, but we would seek quiet moments to of further enlightenment.  Give us strength in our quest for more closeness and deeper confiding from You. Do not quench this burning we have for You but make us need it more desperately each day to sustain us and become life itself glowing inside.

Amen