Welcome back study friends! Yesterday we began to dig into the treasures of Matthew 13 where we mined the nuggets of 7 parables regarding the kingdom of heaven. We continue the dig today, considering the prophecy and purpose of the parables. Ready to dig? First, re-read the chapter to set the contextual stage before we dig into each part today.

Now that you have context, we’ll first focus on our shortest passage of the day: verses 34-35. In this season of Jesus’ ministry, He faced constant opposition from Jewish leaders. Therefore, during this season, Jesus spoke only parables to them. Harkening back to Psalm 78:2, Jesus spoke in parables to reveal things kept secret from the foundation of the world. As discovered yesterday, some seed (truth of God’s Word) falls by the wayside or on stoney or thorny soil and is not always understood. Such was the case with Jewish leaders. However, Jesus’ followers had fertile ground and the parables Jesus taught were understood by those whose soil was good and ready to receive. (Remember this idea of who understands and who does not. We’re coming back to it tomorrow!)

Now to a very intriguing portion of Matthew 13. Verses 10-13 tell us the purpose of parables. We’ve already learned that parables are for the purpose of illustrating spiritual concepts in a way that is understandable to those whose soil is good and ready to receive. But is there another purpose? Dig in and let’s see!

Jesus’ disciples asked Him why He taught in parables and He responded:

“Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. ¹² For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ¹³ Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” 

Wow! God’s intention is to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven! He wants us to know! But remember, the context of this passage is the opposition from Jewish leaders. To whom is given the mysteries of heaven? Those educated Jewish religious leaders or Jesus’ disciples (men of lesser education but whose soil is ready to receive)? Despite God’s desire to reveal mysteries, those Jewish religious leaders do not see, do not hear, and do not understand.

Friends, it is not education, or even religious training, that enables us to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. The soil of our heart is the key. But what is the kingdom of heaven? Some believe it to be the Millennial Kingdom, while others believe it is the kingdom of God, in general. Regardless, there is an implied difference between believers (those included in the kingdom) and non-believers (those who aren’t). Parables give us insight into the kingdom, and those who belong have an inside view.

But what about those who don’t? That’s the meat of the question, and where my Matthew 13 discussion with friends got very interesting. Is there a hidden nugget of God’s grace in this passage? I think so! Check back tomorrow and have your picks and shovels ready! I’m going to share what we dug up, and perhaps you can dig it too!

See you then!