July 25, Matthew 13
Little children learn that a parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” Jesus explained eternal principles with everyday pictures. He used the commonplace to illustrate the cosmic. It’s interesting that the parables were also designed to obscure meaning from some people while revealing it to others.
Remember math class in school, where the teacher would introduce a new skill or concept, give you an example problem or two to illustrate it, and then assign other problems to let you apply what you’d learned from the example to other situations? Jesus did the same thing with the parables as he taught the
disciples. Although he told many parables, so many that the record says he didn’t speak to the crowds without a parable, we only have a record of two instances when he explained the stories to the disciples. We (and presumably
they) are left to make meaning of the others by applying the principles he modeled in the two he explained.
Parables are soil tests for our hearts, to see if the word we hear is penetrating and producing as it was designed to do. We need to honestly answer the question Jesus posed to the disciples after this barrage of stories: “Have you
understood?” If our answer is, “No,” we probably need to go back and read them again, and ponder them some more. We need to see if the word we have received is bearing fruit, having the intended effect on our hearts and lives. The same problems that limited the crop
in Jesus’ ancient story are still in our lives today. Satan still wants to snatch the word away from our minds before it can do us any good. If our response to the word is shallow emotion without the deep roots of faith and conviction, we will not persevere when adversity threatens. Do you know anyone in whom the word is not producing like it should because it is being choked by anxiety and concern for more and more material things?
We also need to monitor our response when we do understand the parables and get a glimpse of what the kingdom of God is all about. The man who found the treasure in the field went and sold all he had to buy the field, and he did it with joy. The merchant who was searching for fine pearls recognized the value of the pearl he found and was willing to part with all he had to acquire the special pearl. When we know what God wants us to do, do we do it with a sigh of resignation, or with joy? When we understand how much it will cost to have Jesus as our King, are we ready to part with everything it will cost us to be in his kingdom?
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide
for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used
by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—July 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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