It is all about your Will

Matthew 13:10-17

Have you ever attempted a new approach to enhance your communication with a person or a group?  If so, you are in good company for that is what Jesus did in Matthew’s account of the gospel.  Up to now Jesus had been teaching and healing people and yet the crowds seem to want more and more of the amazing acts, but most did not understand or acknowledge the authority of Jesus. 

When Jesus took this new approach His disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10b)  The answer Jesus gave may seem vague to some, but keep reading and it will become very clear.  “And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (Matthew 13:11-13)

I understand completely the message Jesus is telling his disciples; for many years I was one of that crowd, I went to church, I listened but I would not place my will under the authority of God, I wanted to be in charge.  It also reminded me of algebra class, I attended class, I listened to the teacher, but I came away with no understanding of what was being taught.  It was not because the teacher was bad, others learned algebra, and it was not because I was not able to learn, it was a simple thing, I never believed it was relevant for life on planet earth.

But Jesus is going to quote the prophet Isaiah to them and He explains that the prophecy of Isaiah is now fulfilled that says:  “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”  For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.”  (Matthew 13:14-15)  This writer is under authority and I believe the Spirit of God has directed me to address His church, for I was born for such a time as this.  It is in His church that people’s hearts have grown dull, and their ears can barely hear, and their eyes have closed, we attend, but so many never apply or put into action the teaching of Scripture. 

This morning I read this quote from “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers; “There is no heaven with a little corner of hell in it.  God is determined to make you pure and holy and right; He will not allow you to escape for one moment from the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit.” (From page 133 July 1)  Do you recall the song many of us learned in VBS, “One way and only one and yet the doors are two, I’m on the Lord’s side and which side are you?”  Has the culture of the world so invaded the church that we now believe we can have heaven with a little corner of hell in it?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice