The Kingdom parables of Matthew thirteen.
In this chapter, Jesus explained why the kingdom parables are important truths that all believers and even unbelievers should be aware of.
So, why did Jesus speak in parables? In this article, we’ll look at his explanation for it, but in the explanation, we’ll see something that may cause the reader some concern.
let’s take a look.
As I mentioned in the previous article in this series, this is the first use of the word parable in the Book of Matthew. And the Lord’s teaching method caught the attention of the disciples. But, “speaking in parables” wasn’t unique to Jesus. The teaching style began in the very earliest ages. Spiritual truths were often described using imagery from everyday life. This is a commonly used method that continues today in schools around the world. But using this teaching method also brings a potential problem with it. Using a parable to teach can make it appear as though the teacher is talking about something that isn’t necessarily true. In many cases, old parables took on the mystic nature of being an ancient myth. Now that’s a general rule and doesn’t apply to Christ’s parables. But still, there is the potential to place them in the category of partial truth.
The kingdom parables that Jesus taught have vital truths that are important for every man, woman, or child. There are special rewards for those who seek the truth of them. And as we’ll see, whether one accepts or rejects the truth of the kingdom parables has eternal consequences.
Matthew 13:10 Why did Jesus teach the kingdom parables?
“And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
The disciples came to Jesus and asked him why he taught differently from other teachers. It’s safe to imagine that this didn’t happen immediately but probably later at a more quiet opportunity. Matthew just inserted it into the story at this point.
Look at the following passages to see other examples in which the disciples and others asked for understanding regarding why Jesus did things differently. Matthew 9:11, 14, Matthew 15:2, Matthew 17:19, Matthew 26:8) Also Compare Matthew 12:2 with Luke 6:2.
Matthew 13:11 The mystery of the Kingdom parables
“Jesus 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.”
Please notice the unique way the Lord often answered questions. Jesus didn’t answer their question directly. He didn’t explain why parables were so effective at getting a message across. And he didn’t explain that he used common day situations to make things easier to understand. Actually, he introduced a topic that the disciples didn’t expect. Jesus stepped into the challenging arena of God’s sovereignty.
As we read his response, it appears that he is saying that some people are granted the right to understand God’s truth. But others are not given that privilege. When we, in our finite understanding, try to understand God’s ways, our heads are prone to explosive responses. 🙁 Why would God do that?
But we ignore obvious facts in those responses. Those who seek after God’s truth are given a promise.
They will find it.
Those who don’t seek biblical truth aren’t going to find it watching cat videos. The Lord promised to reward those who diligently seek after him. The prize that true disciples seek after is God — nothing else. He has always been there for those who look.
The mysteries of the kingdom of God are revealed by God only. The Apostle Paul wrote in detail about some of those mysteries in the following passages. In the category of mysteries, he put the following topics, the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:3, 4, 9; Colossians 1:26), the future conversion of Israel (Romans 11:25), the union of Christ with the Church and its comparison to that of a husband and wife (Ephesians 5:32), and the future resurrection of believers. (1 Corinthians 15:51)
Matthew 13:12 But that’s not fair!
“For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”
In saying, ‘whoever has’ Jesus is talking about spiritual wisdom, insight, or hunger. It’s not material goods. If a person has a hunger and thirst for righteousness, he or she will gain more of it. In this verse, we see that those who have a small portion of spiritual wisdom and don’t pursue it will lose what little they had.
God doesn’t give out awards to everyone just for playing the game. Those who give effort in spiritual things will be rewarded. Those who stand on the sidelines and mock spiritual things will lose. And they will not get a trophy.
Matthew 13:13 The kingdom parables reveal and hide the truth
“Therefore I speak to them in parables, because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”
Now in this verse, it sounds like the Lord is about to explain his use of parables. But actually, it appears that he still skirts the issue slightly. He just goes on to explain that this lack of spiritual hunger or curiosity was predicted by the prophets of the Old Testament. But it’s also argued that this spiritual apathy is the reason for the use of parables.
Matthew writes that their spiritual blindness and closed ears are the reason for the use of parables. Perhaps the parables in themselves are the punishment. It keeps them from the truth that they are avoiding. The more they know and still reject, the greater the degree of punishment when that time comes. In that way, it’s an act of mercy toward those who adamantly refuse to explore the spiritual truths found in the Bible.
Though they have the ability to see and hear, instead they refuse to use the perfectly good eyes and ears the Lord gave them. See these two passages Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2).
Matthew 13:14 They fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah
“In their case, the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE.”
The prophet Isaiah said this would happen. If the words weren’t clear then when the prophet spoke them, they were surely clear when Jesus explained it to his disciples. But here’s the irony, the disciples were spiritually hungry and looking for the answers. If the uninterested crowd had heard the Lord’s explanation it probably would have angered them instead of causing them to seek out the truth. That’s how it works with the spiritually dead.
Here’s one chapter in Isaiah in which he makes the prediction. Isaiah 6
Matthew 13:15 They have eyes and ears they refuse to use.
“FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE, THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’”
The hearts of the people of God had become grossly fat. Specifically, the prophecy was applied to Israel, but generally, it applies to human nature. We understand what happens when people don’t exercise their bodies. In the same way, our spiritual minds and souls get fat and out of shape if we don’t exercise them. You don’t have to tell me how many Christians rarely pick up their Bibles. It’s a plague among the Church. But that principle has held firm for thousands of years. We don’t usually take time for spiritual matters. I think it’s one of the key reasons why the Lord established a weekly Sabbath. We need to break away from the daily chores and issues and set our minds on God’s things, not our things.
If we look closely at this verse, we see another tragic irony. If the people would just stop for a moment and look and listen to God, he would heal their out-of-shape hearts. But, they won’t take the time.
Matthew 13:16 Only the willing understand the kingdom parables
“But blessed are your eyes because they see; and your ears, because they hear.”
These words, and others like them, served to give courage to the disciples and the young Church after Jesus returned to heaven. The crowd followed Jesus when he healed the sick and provided bread for everyone when he taught. But when the religious elites challenged him, the crowds got nervous and backed away. The crowds left Jesus, but the Lord encouraged the true believers to hang in and grow stronger. Blessed are the ones who hunger for spiritual things found in the Bible. There are a lot of challenging topics and passages, but keep digging for the truth. God will give understanding to those who dig deep.
Blessed are your eyes because they see.
Matthew 13:17 Great scholars seek the truth, but it is hidden from them.
“For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Jesus broadens the previous complement with this statement. The disciples stood out among their peers. As Jesus ministered to the crowds, the people gathered long enough to get food and healing. Then they went home to their beds. Only twelve men followed Jesus everywhere he went. And in this verse, Jesus compares the disciples to those prophets of old who sought out the great truths. They wanted to know the truths hidden in the mysteries of the scriptures.
The disciples were the specially chosen few who were first to see and hear the unveiling of the mysteries of the Kingdom parables.
War is brutal, but sometimes it’s necessary.
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