2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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WHY PARABLES?
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
Matthew 13:10-17
Memory Verse: Matthew 13:11
“…because they seeing see not;
and hearing they hear not…”
WHY PARABLES?
The disciples asked Jesus, “Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” (Matt 13:10b). Jesus’ answer was revealing and pointed. Jesus gave us parables with a dual purpose. The dual purpose is stated in Matthew 13:11: “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”
The first purpose is for the ones who are born again. If they are born-again believers, they would want to know the spiritual meaning taught in the parables. Matthew 13:12: “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” They may not initially understand the spiritual truths behind the parables, like many portions of God’s Word, but they will not give up. They will keep meditating, praying and searching until they find the truth of God’s Word in the parables. In this way, God uses the parables to confirm a professing believer’s salvation. This desire to know their heavenly Father’s teaching is the work of the Holy Spirit who dwells in them. What obedient child does not wish to know the Father’s instruction and obey?
The second purpose is the opposite of the first. It is to condemn. Matthew 13:13: “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” Just as the parables can confirm the person’s salvation, they can also condemn. They understand the teaching of Christ from the parables like a sinner understands the Gospel when they hear it, but their response is rejection and not acceptance. The reason is that they do not believe what they hear and understand. The understanding of their mind will condemn them on the day of judgment because they reject what they understand. How can God blame and condemn them if they can justly claim that they do not understand?
The believers may not understand initially, but they will in the end. The unbelievers will not understand because they do not believe. What they understand will also be taken away because of their rejection.
THOUGHT: Have I truly repented of my sins and believed in Jesus?
PRAYER: O Father, help me to love Thee by loving Thy Word always!