Explore the Bible: Access Granted

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Feb. 28 focuses on Matthew 13:1-13.

The Typical Set-up

Parables are amazing. Jesus told them 2,000 years ago, and pastors and scholars are still trying to understand them. The funny thing is—that was Jesus’ point!

Matthew 13:1-2 proclaims: “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.” Jesus, seeing a massive crowd, got onto a boat in order to be able to teach them all. One would think, in this instance, he might tell them a story or two to get their attention, and then tell them something they could clearly understand. But Jesus does the exact opposite. He tells a simple story, but one even his closest followers didn’t understand. In fact, twice in Matthew 13 Jesus has to explain a parable to the 12 disciples.

In some way, Jesus was constantly trying to “weed out” the crowds. He does this in multiple ways. He uses incredibly hard-hitting teaching, in some instances. This happens in John 6. The teaching was so hard-hitting, so soul piercing, that John 6:66 proclaims, “From this time, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” Jesus refused to be a sideshow or merely another interesting teacher. No, he was the Savior, and his message, although simple, took a certain heart to understand. It took a heart ready to recognize sin and confess it. The use of parables is another way Jesus “weeds out” the crowds.

Don’t you think if Jesus wanted the entire crowd to understand, he would have been sure to teach in such a way so they would understand? Often, he did teach so everyone would understand. But, just as we observe over and over when the Pharisees are listening to Jesus’ teaching, some in this crowd didn’t have the heart to understand.

What might those people be like? Stubborn? Self-centered? Violent? Maybe. But most likely, self-righteous. Think of it, the self-righteous didn’t need God, because they already considered themselves righteous. They had no need to repent, which was one of Jesus’ main concerns. Remember his first sermon in Matthew? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17).

The Moment of Irony

My oldest son, Jared, and I have a long-running feud about irony. I say the following is ironic, but we will have to see if it meets the qualifications of my college junior.

Matthew 13:9 states: “He who has ears, let him hear.” Jesus was teaching people who, based on Jesus’ own words, didn’t have the heart, or the ears, to understand. Were they deaf? Hard of hearing? No. They couldn’t hear it because they didn’t want to hear it. They lacked the heart to understand. They were only there to see what Jesus would do or say next. They had no intention of believing, obeying or following Jesus long-term. Som Jesus uses his famous “He who has ears, let him hear” phrase.

Here’s the irony. To people who didn’t have the “ears to hear,” Jesus said, “Some of you aren’t going to get this.” Ironic? Well, I think so. But we will see.

Four Seed Types

He described four seeds. The first seed was generously scattered, but fell on a path, quickly devoured by birds. Other seed fell on rocky ground. There seemed to be great promise for those seeds because they “sprang up.” But, without depth, as soon as the sun shone, they withered away. The third seed fell among thorns, which quickly choked out any potential growth. Finally, other seed fell on good soil. It grew and produced a bountiful crop.

So, Jesus turned to the people who “couldn’t hear” or “didn’t have the heart” for the gospel, and told them, “You aren’t going to understand this.” And sure enough, they didn’t. Not even the disciples fully understood.

It’s About the Soil, Not the Seed

Only one type of seed grew. Jesus clearly defined it later in the chapter: “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:23). Notice, all the seeds were good and capable of growth. It was the soil that made the difference.

Here’s the bottom line: There are plenty seeds of the gospel being scattered in the world, even today. But only those who have a heart of repentance will be able to understand, illuminated by the power of the Holy Spirit, and will respond in faith and trust.

Not ready
As I’ve mentioned before, one of the mission endeavors we have at the church I serve is a baseball camp ministry in Germany. It’s amazing! We’ve seen nearly 200 children and youth, and even parents and grandparents, come to faith in Christ the last seven years. Equally important, we’ve created many friendships through which share the gospel.

One young man—I will call him Tim—has heard the gospel time and time again. He grew up going to baseball camp, and now he is too old to attend. So, we use him as a coach. He’s heard the gospel and even translated it for us a few times. He’s a kind, easy-to-love young man. He certainly seems to understand the gospel and is even moved by it. We have been waiting for him to accept Christ, but it just hasn’t happened yet.

Why? Tim actually told me one day, and it was very helpful. He said: “I understand these things. I can see that Jesus saves. But, well, I’m not ready to follow.” It’s actually a wonderful response to the gospel. There will not be a false convert in this story! I see it. I understand it. But I’m not willing to follow—yet. We pray for Tim often.

So what’s a Christian to do? Scatter seeds. Scatter seeds. Scatter seeds. And remember, success in sharing the gospel isn’t limited to someone professing faith in Christ. Success in scattering seeds of the gospel is found simply in scattering seeds of the gospel and leaving the results to God.

By the way, my college son Jared says that I passed the “irony test.” Whew!

This is my final article to write for the six-month assignment the Baptist Standard gave me. It’s been a joy to write a few extra thoughts for you about the Explore the Bible lessons. I pray God’s blessings upon you.