MATTHEW 13:9-17

KEY VERSE: “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9).

In our studies, we have seen many of the methods that JESUS used to “teach” those to whom HE spoke, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. While we find that HE used a lot of illustrations from common life and experiences, there also were a great many similes, metaphors and paradoxes. All of the uses were for the purpose of making a permanent impression of certain ‘statements of truths’ in the minds of those who heard HIM.

However, in this lesson, we find JESUS using “parables” to teach the plain, simple truth of HIS message so that HIS “hearers” could understand HIS teachings. A parable, according to Essentials of Bible History by Elmer W. K. Mould, is “a story out of life, told to illustrate and impress a religious teaching. Literally, the word parable means “thrown alongside”; i.e. a certain truth is thrown alongside life in order to make its meaning plain.” Thus, it was the purpose of JESUS to make HIS meanings simple and easy to understand.

Yet, this lesson makes it appear that JESUS was using parables to make HIS message understood only by HIS disciples and unclear to all others that heard it. But it is opinion that JESUS was not trying hide HIS meaning from those who heard, instead, HE was trying to make HIS message understood by believers only.

1. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? (Matthew 13:9)

This particular verse comes at the end of the Parable of the Sower that JESUS taught to the “great multitude” (13:2a) that had gathered after HE “got in a boat and sat” (13:2b) while “the whole multitude stood on the shore” (13:2c). Here, I would like to offer the fact that I am of the persuasion that the ‘majority’ of the “TEACHINGS OF JESUS” in the Sermon on the Mount were for the ‘specific’ benefit of the disciples, and others who heard them gained, if you will, ‘indirect’ benefit from being within the proximity of the teachings. This perspective may slightly ‘slant’ my reflection on this lesson; however, I must move, as I am lead by THE HOLY SPIRIT in my reflection.

JESUS knew that even some of the disciples were not ‘prepared’ to “hear” the WISDOM behind the messages that HE preached from the Scriptures. For the most part, it is because of the drastic change that is called for in the life of one who has heard, accepted, believed on our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. This means that the “hearer” is not necessarily unable to understand the teachings, as much as it appears that he or she is unwilling to abide by the precepts contained in the teachings; thereby, rendering them unable (unwilling) to “understand” what is being taught.

This why I believe that JESUS was saying to HIS disciples and those BELIEVERS today that we who have believed and accepted JESUS as CHRIST and SAVIOR should also accept (hear) HIS WORD as well. And if you can “hear HIM now,” then you are ‘prepared’ for the “hearing and doing” of HIS WORD.

2. THE PURPOSE OF PARABLES (vv.10-13)

This section begins with a question from the disciples to JESUS, “Why do YOU speak to them in parables?” HIS answer, I suggest, supports my ‘position’ that JESUS’ main purpose was to teach (prepare) HIS disciples specifically, “Because it has been given to (you) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (v.11). This means to me that there is some “greater understanding” from the teachings of JESUS that cannot be comprehended by those who are not true believers. Mainly because those of us who profess to be children of GOD have a ‘mission oriented purpose’ for gaining the WISDOM incorporated within the teachings we receive. We have already learned in our previous lesson that as “salt and light,” we have an obligation to those with whom we come in ‘contact’ with to share the truth of the Gospel message with them to aid in their understanding and acceptance. However, we also have to accept the fact that there are going to be some to whom “it (understanding) has not been given,” and in turn, will never be able to accept the truth of the Gospel. Even when we explain (break it down) very clearly, their stubborn refusal to believe and accept the guidance and lessons contained in the Scriptures, combined with their refusal to make a commitment to OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST makes it impossible for them to understand.

In verse 12, JESUS goes on to explain another powerful lesson. This statement has nothing whatsoever to do with the possession and acquisition of material wealth and prosperity as some people try to “sell” us. But this does have everything to do with the wealth or lack thereof of our possession of the SPIRITUAL TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND ITS USE TO FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF GOD HERE ON EARTH. In other words, JESUS is simply saying that if we, who have the gift of the knowledge of the WISDOM contained in the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,” do not use this WISDOM to aid in the nurturing and development of the “least” of GOD’S children, then we are “good for nothing” and don’t deserve to be called children of GOD. HE further explains this same concept in THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS later in Matthew 25:14-30. If we don’t use the “talent(s)” that GOD gives us freely and for HIS GLORY, then we can expect GOD to do to us just as he did with the “unprofitable servant” who received only one “talent” and then proceeded to bury that “talent” to the good of no one, not even himself. GOD took that one he had and gave it to the one to whom HE had given five and who, in turn, “profited” five more.

Finally, JESUS sums up this section by saying simply that the reason that HE speaks to them, (those not given to know the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”) in parables is because HE knew that they would not have a clue as to what HE was speaking about anyway. This is, in fact, what I believe JESUS is counting on, the idea that as HE is teaching, HE can teach freely because those “without” are not concerned about the truth of the Gospel nor its understanding, therefore, HE could instruct his disciples openly in the presence of “the multitudes.”

3. THANK GOD FOR THE BLESSINGS TO “SEE” AND “HEAR” (vv.14-17)

JESUS concludes HIS WISDOM TEACHING by quoting for emphasis GOD’S message to the penitent prophet Isaiah upon his acceptance of GOD’S call to go to the sinful nation with the message of GOD’S salvation, which the majority of that generation would not receive (vv.9-13). We find in Isaiah 6:9-10, “And HE (GOD) said, ‘Go, and tell this people: Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive. Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return, and be healed.’” GOD forbid that they would be so greatly ‘blessed’ for their understanding and acceptance of the salvidic power of the WORD OF GOD!

While it is truly a tragedy for those who stubbornly refuse to “see” and “hear” the living WORD OF GOD manifested in the world today, I thank GOD for those faithful believers who, even in difficult times, choose to follow the precepts and directions of the WISDOM contained in the WORD OF GOD. Those faithful believers that are able to “see” and hear” that their Salvation is rooted in their relationship with our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, will consider it a BLESSING to join with Isaiah and say, “Here am I! Send me,” in response to GOD’S VOICE asking “Whom shall I send, And who will go for us” (Isaiah 6:8).

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD