February 15, 2024

Matthew 13:10-17 (HCSB)
Why Jesus Used Parables
10 Then the disciples  came up and asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered them, “Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know,  but it has not been given to them. 12 For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.  13 For this reason I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see,  and hearing they do not listen or understand.  14 Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive. 15 For this people’s heart has grown callous; their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes;  otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn back— and I would cure them.  16 “But your eyes are blessed  because they do see, and your ears because they do hear!  17 For I assure you: Many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them.

Pastor HD Jones
Wisdom is a rare commodity in our fast paced world and common sense is not as common as it used to be.  Jesus used parables to teach His disciples about the things of God.  These simple stories with a heavenly meaning covers a lot of what it means to be a child of God and the more we understand the parables the closer our walk with God. There is only so much wisdom we can learn in the “school of hard knocks “.  But from God’s word we can gain the wisdom of Heaven.  Who knew it was more blessed to give than receive?  Who knew that a mind focused on the kingdom of God would reduce my stress here on earth?  Who knew that my life built on Christ could withstand the storms of life?  We know these things because the word of God teaches us these things.  Thanks be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gives us what we need to live for the Kingdom each and every day.