Matthew 13:10-17 (NRSV)
10Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11He answered, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' 14With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
'You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
15For this people's heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn —
and I would heal them.'
16But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
'You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
15For this people's heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen with their ears,
and understand with their heart and turn —
and I would heal them.'
16But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
Observation: Jesus' disciples ask why he speaks in parables. He responds that this is a fulfilment of an Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 6:9-10). He already knows his message will only be understood by a small group of people, so he doesn't try to water it down so everyone will get it.
Application: Everyone has a desire to be understood and liked. Christians, too. But sometimes Christians can convince themselves that they HAVE to be liked and understood, and it wouldn't hurt to also be popular and powerful, for the sake of the Gospel: so we can "get the message out there," and more people can experience saving faith in Christ.
Seems like Jesus himself was far less anxious about that. He knew ahead of time that his message wouldn't be widely embraced. Even his own disciples were famously bad at "getting it". But at least in this small group he found people committed to trusting him, following, and trying their best to do life his way.
Jesus did not spend his life trying to win over those who had already committed their lives to misunderstanding him. I don't see why we as his disciples should either.
Prayer: Jesus, help us to find our people of peace, who are ready to hear and receive you through our words and actions. Amen.
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