Matthew 13:9-17
Preview: What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity? What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them?
Matthew 13:9-17 Why Jesus Used Stories to Teach
They must have wondered: Why was Jesus telling these stories that people could only partly understand? Why was he making them think and not telling them the answers?
· “parables/stories”(Matthew 13:10) – expressions which are not to be understood literally, but symbolically, figuratively, or allegorically
· “parable” (Matthew 13:18) – a relatively short narrative with symbolic meaning, allegory, figure of speech, story telling device as vehicle for communication
What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity?
11 Jesus answered, “You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, but others cannot know these secrets.
“know” – to come to an understanding as the result of ability to experience and learn (also translated to understand, able to understand, to know about,
“secrets” – the content of that which has not been known before, but which has been revealed to an in-group
12 Those who have understanding will be given more, and they will have all they need. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them. 13 This is why I use stories to teach the people:” “That’s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight.” – Matthew 13:13 The Message “They see, but they don’t really see.
They hear, but they don’t really hear or understand. “Jesus speaks in parables in “response” to this lack of understanding.” – Ulrich Luz (2001). Matthew: a commentary (H. Koester, Ed.; p. 246). Augsburg.
16 But you are blessed, because you see with your eyes and hear with your ears.” “ “But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear!” – Matthew 13:16 The Message 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and good people wanted to see the things that you now see, but they did not see them. And they wanted to hear the things that you now hear, but they did not hear them.” – Matthew 13:9-17 NCV
1. What does Jesus teach about his followers’ identity?
“You have been chosen to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 13:11) (Our response to the “message” aka the Gospel Good News of Jesus and our resulting relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and King.)
Jesus’ instruction to listen, for the sake of coming “to know the secrets about the kingdom of heaven,” includes the interaction of a healthy relationship with God and God-enabled learning that produces understanding.
“Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness, Relationship management” – Daniel Goleman
Spiritual emotional intelligence through wholehearted devotion to God. Learning who we are through learning who God is, how God relates to us, what God communicates to us, and who God has designed us to be. Such knowledge, understanding, and wisdom is learned and learnable. This requires that we use active listening, to God, with an intent to understand and respond with gracious humility.
This underscores the importance of the meaning of this parable, Jesus reveals in Matthew 13:18-23.
2. What are the obstacles to active listening, to God, and how do we overcome them, in Matthew 13:18-23?
Obstacles: Lack of Understanding, Enemy Influence, Shallow Application, Resistance, Worries, Temptation
Overcoming: Active Listening, Deep Questions, Careful Consideration, Spirit-enabled Understanding, Deep Application, Resisting Enemy’s Influence, Participation in Producing Fruit