Matthew 13 1 thru 11 Based on A Study in Matthew devotional
1That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. 2And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. 3And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow; 4and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9He who has ears, let him hear. 10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
So far Jesus has gained many followers, but the nation of Israel, especially the religious leaders, have not embraced Him as Messiah.
This confounds the disciples — and those who follow the Lord along with the twelve apostles.
The disciples seem to think that the way Jesus teaches explains the people’s confusion. After all, He is not quick to call Himself the Messiah. Because He’s using veiled language and parables to reveal His kingship.
So, the disciples ask Jesus why He uses parables in verse 10 by basically saying: “…why tell stories that everyone can’t understand?
The Hebrew term for parable covers a variety of expressions such as allegories, proverbs, stories and so on.
Generally speaking, parables are illustrations drawn from everyday life that make one single point.
It is essential to remember that parables usually have one meaning, since Christians throughout history have often thought hidden messages lurk behind every detail in them.
Occasionally, a parable makes more than one point. For example, the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32) illustrates the Father’s joy when sinners repent and it also teaches the faithful to share this joy.
Still, knowing that most parables have one main point helps us interpret them properly.
You see, Parables reveal the kingdom’s secrets to those with eyes to see, and they hide them from those who refuse to hear the truth (Matt. 13:11).
Jesus’ veiling of truth from unbelievers this way was an act of judgement and an act of mercy.
Based on Matthew 13, these secrets tell us that Lord’s reign must first come through the humility of Jesus. Not through force.
Despite the expectations of first-century Jews, the day on which all enemies of Israel are eliminated will come only after the Messiah atones for sin and extends His reign through the preaching of the Gospel — even to the foes of His people.
Life Happens…
Today’s passage, tells us that the lack of clarity in the parables is not due to the parables themselves.
The problem is really the hearts of sinful people.
“The word of God, in its own nature, is always bright, but its light is choked by the darkness of men.”
Our own sin can stand in the way of understanding the Bible.
If we want to understand the Word of God, we must make sure that we are dealing with any sin in our life.
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