What do these messages have in common with each other?
- “Amy, are you free for golf tomorrow morning?”
- “Sorry about your mom.”
- “Haven’t seen you in a while, are you okay?”
- “Tomorrow morning I will come to meet you.”
All of these were text messages sent to me. I had no idea who it was, it looked suspicious, so I deleted the message and blocked the person from ever sending me a message again. Um, if that was any of you, sorry.
Some people who heard Jesus’ teachings did this same thing. They didn’t know him, because they didn’t believe his claim to be the Son of God and Savior of all sinners. So when Jesus would say, “Are you okay?” or “I want to meet you” they’d delete and block his message.
So how did Jesus talk to someone who was blocking him in unbelief, canceling him in condemnation? He’d often keep reaching out, urging repentance. And at some point, usually depending on the person becoming a public oppositionist or part of a group that opposes him, Jesus would try something else. Jesus would teach in parables.
“The Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables, so that, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven”’” (Mark 4:10-12)!
The kingdom of God is the gospel. The good news of miraculous grace that God has forgiven guilty sinners through Jesus Christ. Jesus calls it a secret because we don’t accept, choose or understand that divine gift on our own.
It is revealed in the Bible.
Salvation is a gift through the gospel to all sinners. But some reject it. They take their stance on their own “on the outside.” As in, outside the kingdom of God. Outside of faith. Outside of forgiveness. Outside of heaven.
Jesus explains that his parables, therefore, accomplish a double purpose. They reveal the secret of salvation to believers, and they conceal the secret of salvation to unbelievers.
Wait a minute. Is Jesus judging people? Absolutely, he is, he can, and he does, but not unfairly. Jesus judges perfectly, and reserves the right to judge hearts. Jesus knows those who persist in unbelief because he can see their hearts.
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Mark 4:9), Jesus urges. He means more than “pay attention.” He is promising that there are no exceptions to his invitation and grace.
No nationalities preferred. No denominations that can claim that only they hold the holy grail. No burdened soul who is thinking, “Jesus could never save me.”
“Whoever” means everybody, and for the kingdom of God it means even those who aren’t very good at listening, but they do want to hear. So put on your listening ears and enjoy the kingdom of God!
PRAYER: Jesus, I want to hear your teachings in a way that sees them and understands them. Keep talking to me, even when I’m not very good at listening. Develop my ears of faith toward greater clarity, passion and obedience. Amen.
EVANGELISM ACTION: I’m writing a lot these days about the parables of Jesus. What are three new insights or things you appreciate about Jesus’ parables? This week’s spiritual next step is for you to share them with someone. Tell them that I gave you this homework. Tell them, “I thought of you.” Text it to, or talk to, a friend who needs Jesus.
