“Why did Jesus teach in parables? The Second Reason”
Sermon Title: Why did Jesus teach in parables? The SEcond Reason
Scripture: Mark 4:10-13; John 3:1-12 ESV
Introduction - Recap of Part 1
Last week, we began to explore the question: Why did Jesus teach in parables? Jesus’ sudden change in teaching method of parables without the explanations left many people including his disciples confused. His disciples questioned Jesus’ method, which reflects how we also question God and His methods when we don’t’ understand His ways. We learned last week that we must accept that God does not owe us an answer. However, God can choose to reveal the answer to us immediately or at a later time in retrospect, or He can choose not to reveal the answer within this lift time. We must also acknowledge that there are some things God chooses not to reveal to us because we would simply not understand. Accepting this is part of submitting ourselves humbly to God. Therefore, the first reason why Jesus taught in parables was to use it as an instrument of judgement against stubborn unbelievers who refused to believe and rejected the gospel by concealing the truth from them. Jesus was giving them over to their hardened hearts that trampled over the gospel.
The Second Reason
Parables as an Instrument to Teach Those Who Yearn for Truth
Jesus said, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God."
· For Jesus’ disciples, the parables were helpful tools to unpack, reveal, and help remember the truth about the kingdom. Those that yearn for the truth are characterized by an eagerness, a hunger, a longing, a curiosity for the truth, along with a teachable spirit. A parable is an invitation to probe and provoke the honest inquirer to examine their own heart in light of the teaching and causes them to want to know more of what lies within no matter what it takes.
· Parables were doors to greater revelation and truth, while at the same time, doors that bar others from spiritual treasures. The difference is whether you have the right key in your hand, which is humility. “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way (Psalm 25:9).” The Lord gives access to those who have a humble and teachable heart. It is the posture of the listener’s heart.
· God faithfully opens the floodgates of wisdom and knowledge to those with a heart of humility. God trusts the humble to use wisdom for His purposes and to lead others to Christ.
· Jesus was not being harsh in concealing the truth because Christ would never and will never withhold the truth from those who thirst for living water. It's always available to those who seek it! To these, Jesus says, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God."
Example of Jesus Revealing the Secret of the Kingdom of God
John 3:16 is arguably the most well-known verse in the Bible, but many people don’t know the context in which it was given nor of Nicodemus to whom it was given. Christ did not withhold the truth even from Nicodemus who was a Pharisee, and Nicodemus was not just any Pharisee.
· “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (John 3:1).” Nicodemus was a greatly respected leader among the Pharisees, a teacher of Israel (v.10) and he admitted to Jesus that they know that Jesus was sent from God for no one else could do the things Jesus did unless God is with him (v.2).
· Jesus had much harsh words and criticisms towards Pharisees whose heart were most hardened, and one may expect a Pharisee to be the last person with whom Jesus would have an honest conversation, yet here he was with Nicodemus.
· Nicodemus met with Jesus at night because although he desired to pursue Jesus, he was afraid for his own public image. Still, Jesus knowing this, was graciously willing to sit with him.
· Many of us may be approaching Jesus in hiding like Nicodemus in our daily life because we are embarrassed in front of our non-believing friends and colleagues, or you’re ashamed of your sins so you hide like Adam and Eve when they sinned.
· Nicodemus came to Jesus not only with cowardice but with spiritual blindness of who Jesus is. He was lost in darkness like so many of us. His spiritual blindness limited his view to see Jesus as a teacher (v.2) although as a teacher of Israel he should have known that Jesus was so much more. Nicodemus falls short and what he deserved was not a meeting with Jesus but a rebuke. Yet, Jesus does not turn him away and reveals to him the precious truth of the gospel, and Jesus will not turn us away.
Two Reasons Why Didn’t Jesus Turn Nicodemus Away
1. Approaching Jesus with Honesty
· The Pharisees were hostile against Jesus even going as far to blaspheme against him by accusing him of colluding with Satan to do his miracles. Nicodemus confesses the truth that they all know deep down that Jesus cannot do the things he does if not send by God (v.1). He was not swallowed up by his pride and jealousy, nor swayed by public opinion, so Jesus responded to his honesty. Jesus cannot work with dishonest people who are dishonest with God, others, themselves, and their situation.
2. Approaching Jesus with Hunger
· During his meeting, Nicodemus says very little, but everything he does say is in the form of a question. It expresses his hunger for the truth. Jesus responds to his hunger and meets him where he is at and graciously spends time with him to unpack the gospel message.
Conclusion
Christ is looking for people who are honest and hungry. And anytime Jesus speaks in parables, they are an invitation to the honest and the hungry. It is probing our hearts to respond: "I want to know what that means. I want to know if he's speaking about me. I want to know if he's speaking about my soul. I sense something deeper and profound; I want to know what this is." And for these kinds of people, Jesus says – “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God.”
Let us open our ears to the teachings of Jesus with a humble heart. Let us acknowledge that God is God, and we are not, and in that recognition, let us approach the Lord with a humble heart that is honest and hungry for his truth. And as we do, may we receive a deeper revelation about the secrets of the kingdom of God, through which our lives may be restored and redeemed continually through the transformative power of the gospel.
Reflection and Response
John 3:16 says – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
God loves not just His own people but the world! He gave his Son not only for the chosen few but for everyone! Just like the parables are given to all without discrimination, so is the good news of Jesus Christ. However, not all are saved. It’s only those who sincerely yearn for the truth of the gospel and who have placed their genuine faith in Jesus Christ that are saved in the end.
· In light of the message, what is the condition of your heart today? Is it hardened with pride and arrogance against the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is it hardened in apathy and indifference?
· Are you approaching God with an honest heart? Are you approaching God with a heart that genuinely yearns and hungers for a deeper revelation?
· Mathew Henry (biblical scholar) said, "A parable is a shell that keeps good fruit for the diligent but withholds it from the slothful." Do you have a genuine hunger in your life to “crack the shell” for the spiritual treasure inside?