Faithful on Fridays Blog

Understanding the Mysteries

Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old. Matt.13:52 

Jesus liked parables. When He asked His disciples if they understood the stories their answer was ‘yes’. Now, they undoubtedly didn’t understand, but didn’t want the others to think they were less spiritual so they all said, “yeah, we get it.” 

How often do we read something in Scripture we don’t understand and bypass it instead of admitting our lack of understanding? Thankfully, that’s the purpose of Bible teachers, however, we have to be disciples as well, trained learners of His Word, when bringing understanding to others. Big assignment, daunting, really.

Parables are short stories whose purpose is to use the lower and upper story technique. Jesus told lower stories that were easy to understand and relevant to the culture, but had an upper story, a spiritual truth, thrown alongside. They use metaphors, imagery, and lots of comparisons to drive home a point. Some are long and some are only one sentence, but with the greatest Teacher of all time they always contain power for living.

Jesus typically began His story by saying something like this, “The kingdom of heaven is like …” and then told a story. He wanted His listeners to understand that by trusting in Him as Savior there’s a victorious life that’s unavailable to an unbeliever. It’s a higher life that looks the same on the outside, but on the inside is full of joy and peace through the Holy Spirit. Living in the kingdom is living with God on the throne, under His rule and reign, and doing life His way. His ways are always better, we find that out as we mature in faith, but submitting to His ways is a progressive walk in the Spirit. 

Believers share an important desire; we all want to learn from Jesus.

Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matt. 11:28-30

Our goal for the next few weeks is to become better disciples, learning His divine lessons as we study His Words in a few parables. 

“It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.”  John 6:45

My teaching is not Mine but His who sent Me. John 7:15

Allow me the privilege of bringing some treasures, old and new gems, from my storeroom of study as the Spirit of God shares His secrets with me.

For you can all prophesy, one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. 1 Cor. 14:31

God’s Word always brings encouragement.