Thoughts for the Day

When Jesus was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that

“They may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand;
so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.”’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In the UK children are taught about Christianity and other faiths in school. In Church schools Christianity is expected to be taught as the faith which inspires those who teach and the Christian ethos of the school. As someone who for many years helped to appoint headteachers to church schools it was my job to ensure that prospective candidates understood what was different about a church school. To say something like "it was a school where people loved one another" was not good enough, it was to be a school inspired and led by the Holy Spirit, and where God's values reigned supreme. So we can say that thousands of children grow up to know about Jesus, but equally thousands of children don't become followers of Jesus!

In today's reading Jesus explains the use of parables, but what on earth does he mean by saying: "They may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand." What a dreadful thing to say. We need to hold in our mind that parables are more like puzzles or riddles. They can only be understood by those who have the right key. Parables are like those who stand at a doorway and hear Jesus. If they were not interested they stayed on the outside, but if they were interested they stepped inside - to think about the truth behind the parable and what it mean for their life.

Jesus used parables, not to blind people, but because they were blind. He used them to attract people, but only those who looked for spiritual meanings. In the the Parable of the Sower, which he has just told, the seed does not represent money, or hard work, or even love. The key is that the sower went forth sowing the word. (Mark 4.1-9 and Mark 4.13-20). Jesus offers his listeners the chance to look deeper to find the truth, or he offers them the opportunity to turn away having heard only an interesting story. Those who turn a blind eye avoid condemnation at having rejected a clearly understood truth, but those who seek more will find eternal life..

Lord Jesus Christ,
we thank You that You taught
Your disciples, and those who would listen,
using parables.
We thank You that we heard
these stories and wanted to know more.
So enable us to keep learning the truths
You would teach us,
that we may grow to love You more,
and carry out Your work in the world.
Amen.