City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

10 Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’ 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:

‘You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.’

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

Matthew 13:10-17

Reflection

Is Jesus being a bit harsh here? Aren’t these crowds honestly seeking to hear Jesus teach? Why would He intentionally be so perplexing? Why would He, seemingly arbitrarily, pick favorites, only and leave others to be… damned? Perhaps you are not as cynical as me, but often, these questions are the first responses I’ve had for this passage. A careful analysis, though, shows that Jesus is exactly true to His loving character.

Let’s consider the “them.” Them [sic] are the crowds that have been stalking Jesus for weeks around the Galilee area. Some want their sickness to be healed. Some might seek to exploit his miracles for profit. The crowds certainly included members of the Jewish political elite, and probably Roman officials also. Jesus was the hottest ticket in town, so the crowds He drew would be full of all types of people, with good, bad, and neutral motives.

Next, who were the disciples? These were the men and women, who followed Jesus. They had left their families and livelihoods to travel with Jesus full-time, and sought to learn from Him by imitating His lifestyle. These are those who had chosen Jesus over all else. They had much to learn, but they were engaged.

Jesus’ strategy reflects the kind of people He desires as disciples. A person convinced by a good teaching will merely consider himself educated. Those whose hope and faith rests ultimately in Jesus Himself, not just His lessons, will give their complete allegiance to Him. Jesus used parables to let those with genuine faith sort out of the crowds as true disciples.

After all, the disciples were, at one point, members of the crowd. When He called them, they weighed the cost of discipleship and followed. It was then they became trusted friends (John 15:15) and further knowledge, wisdom, and power was granted to them.

Jesus’ parables are the seeds that Jesus, the sower, is scattering liberally on the various types of ground. By teaching plain lessons to His close followers, Jesus cultivates the seeds that are growing on fertile soil to bring about a fruitful harvest.

Application

The time is always ripe to reflect on where you find yourself in relation to Jesus. 

• Are you standing in the back of the crowd, skeptical, or perplexed about what you hear?
• Are you interested in Jesus, His God, or the Church because of what it might get you — healing, power, wealth, or “heaven”? Do you wish to be ruled by Him?
• A disciple is one who goes wherever He goes, does whatever He does, and obeys every command. Does that describe you? Have you weighed the cost?

Prayer

Gracious Father,

Let my faith in Jesus be absolute
Let Jesus be my ruler
Let Jesus be my mentor in every discipline
Let Jesus be my reason, my hope, and my purpose

Let me be a committed disciple of Jesus

Amen