Having Ears to Hear

"With many such parables [Jesus] spoke the word to [the crowds], as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples," -Mark 4:33-34

I heard the question posed:  "Why would Jesus not explain his parable to those in the crowds that didn't understand them?"

I have to remember a kind of parable from the Old Testament when after David had Bathsheba's husband killed to cover up his adultery, Nathan, the prophet, told the story of the rich man and the poor man's sheep.  If Nathan had just come out and called David an adulterer and murderer, Nathan may not have left the property with his head intact!  David had to see himself in that story in order to learn from it.

It is the same with Jesus' parables.  None of us want anyone to name our sins to our face.  Accusations only put us on the defensive.   It drives us to make excuses for our behavior rather than to own it and correct it.  We must see our sin for ourselves in order for us to accept it and work to clean up our act.

The people in Jesus' day were no different.  I would imagine that after hearing a parable they would gather with their friends and neighbors discussing it as we might discuss a good sermon.  Then when they hashed it out, each would go home with the perspective meant for him without ever having to confess it to anyone or have anyone point it out.

There are some great convictions in the parables if we are only willing to "have ears to hear."  We can allow the Holy Spirit to see where we stand within those parables with an honest and open heart.  Then with David we can cry, "I have sinned against the Lord!" and we can confess, be forgiven and work to correct that sin in our lives.

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for your gentle words even though we deserve only angry ones.  Thank you for teaching instead of accusing.  Thank you for loving us enough to want us to learn.  Open our hearts to your words of Life.  Amen.

Joys:  Lunch with family; a quiet week at work; Jesus' parables