Matthew 13:1-17, #2

Matthew 13:1-17 #2
After Jesus delivered the parables, the disciples followed Him into the house and asked why He spoke to the crowds in parables. When we think about it, it does seem peculiar that Jesus would tell a story about growing seeds, weeds, leaven, and a mustard seed and then walk into the house without giving an interpretation.There are really two answers to the question of the disciples. First, parables were an obvious way of trying to break through the “dull” hearing of the multitudes. When any audience shows a lack of interest in the subject matter, a story can generate interest. Thus Jesus uses the parables to try to get their attention and motivate them to seek a better understanding of the kingdom.

Second, the parables were a means of filtering out of the multitude those who were truly seeking the Lord and those who were not. When the disciples ask about the meaning of the parables, Jesus begins His answer with, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom…” Why would Jesus say it was given to them but not to the multitudes? The reason is that these who followed Jesus into the house showed an interest in knowing. The multitudes listened to the parables and went away simply thinking that those were nice stories. But the disciples, who asked Jesus the meaning, were those who were seeking. It is the seekers to whom it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom. Everyone else will be left out because they have exhibited the hard, dishonest heart spoken of in the Parable of the Sower.

This lesson is critical for us. We cannot be casual seekers and expect to get to heaven. We cannot simply say we are believers and think that is all there is to pleasing God. A large percentage of “Christians” have the same kind of motivation. They serve the Lord out of convenience. They take their ease and have little or no interest in discovering the “mysteries of the kingdom.”
Berry Kercheville