Personally, I have always wanted to understand everything in the Bible;
after all, it is through the Word that we know the Father, Son and Spirit. Of course I do my best to learn what I can
with the help of the Spirit (1Jh. 2:27 ; Jh. 14:26 ; 1Cr. 2:9-13), but I don’t think
I’ll understand it all until I walk with the Lord in the end. Still, I will continue to make every effort…
As you read the Scripture below, ask these
questions:
-What two groups of are with Jesus?
-What is their proximity to Jesus?
-What is given to them?
-Who
is not given ‘it’ to understand?
When he (Jesus) was alone*
with the Twelve and those around* him, they
began to ask him about the parables. He told them, "The secret* about the kingdom
of God
*G2651-katamonas- apart, alone *G4012-peri- around, near *G3466- musterion- hidden, secret, mystery
Isn’t it
interesting that Jesus is speaking not only to the 12 ‘apostles’ but to the
other disciples that have drawn near.
Those who long to understand draw near to the Savior in order to hear
Him better and be closer to Him. They
stick around Him, never straying far away lest they miss something important. It is to those who draw near and stay around
Him that Jesus gives them the ‘secret about the kingdom
of God
All this
calls into question a few things in my own life. Do I draw nearer to Jesus every day in
prayer, in the Word and spend time in His presence at home -not just at church
on Sunday? Do I actually stick around
Jesus all day every day or do I allow troubles, worries, my desires and worldly
interests: money, relationships, success, status, things, etc. increase the
space between us? Are there things I do,
think or say that I would be embarrassed for Him to know? Am I REALLY
making good effort to know Him…
And let us
not forget those who are not given ‘the secret’. Those on the outside who choose not to draw
near or stick around Jesus. (Hopefully it is not due to the lack of our own enthusiasm for Christ!) Doesn’t that
explain (somewhat) why people in the world do not want to listen to us speak
about Jesus. They don’t perceive or
understand His Word thus it is all nonsense to them. How can they begin to know what we, ourselves
are unwilling to push for?
Perhaps we should question ourselves.
Do I hear God
speak and if not, could it be because I don’t draw near to Him enough? Do I think hearing and understanding is only
for special people in ministry or do I understand that I can be one of ‘those
around Him’? Do I turn away from those
things which keep me from sticking with Him or do they continue to keep me from
His side and listening to Him?
Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the
Light of the world. He who follows* Me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Jh. 8:12
My sheep hear My
voice, and I know them, and they follow* Me.
Jh. 10:27
If anyone serves
Me, let him follow* Me; and where I am, there
also My servant shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. Jh.
12:26
*G190-akoloutheo- to follow behind, to accompany, be
His disciple