Tell Me A Story
His disciples came and asked him, "Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?"
He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand. Matthew 13:10-13
Insight
Kids are naturally curious, which means they ask a lot of questions, and I mean, A LOT. When my two girls were toddlers, I regularly found myself on the other end of their constant, never-ending barrage of questions. Some were funny, others were random, and then some halted me in my tracks with their profoundness.
The common theme for their inquiries was an attempt to understand the world around them. These toddler investigators wanted to know why things were the way they were. I don't know when the switch occurred, but their questions turned thoughtful and sophisticated; a quick response wouldn't suffice.
During those times, I would take a page out of Jesus’ playbook and ask them a question in return or tell them a story. When the crowds, disciples, and religious scholars of His day asked Jesus about issues of faith, He would paint them a picture, flipping the script through the use of a parable.
Jesus rarely gave anyone a straight answer, but through the use of stories that relied on everyday imagery, He challenged them to confront their understanding, biases, and inclinations. He raised the bar of commitment, shined a light on the dark places of the human heart, and challenged their misguided perceptions.
In essence, parables were His way of saying, "You think God's Kingdom looks like that, but it's really like this." The stories divided the crowd: the close-minded and the inquiring, those stuck in their ways and those willing to embrace something new. A message like this put people on notice and demands a response.
When we grow older and leave our childhood behind, we often lose touch with our inquisitive spirit. Life gets in the way and, slowly, but inevitably, any trace of curiosity fades. The same holds in our faith journey. The excitement and ferocity of those first few steps of faith are palpable. But, over time, we lose sight of our need, we forget about our dependency, and we foolishly believe we've got everything figured out.
If we find ourselves in these spots, what we need is for Jesus to tell us a story. Rather than thinking we have all the answers; we need to continue to ask questions. To follow Jesus and recognize Him as the ultimate teacher means we must view ourselves as the always learning student.
Reflection
Are there circumstances you’re facing that God wants to speak into where you've closed your ears and are refusing to listen?
Prayer
God, You are the teacher, and I am the student. I have much to learn when it comes to reflecting Your heart. Open eyes, tell me a story, provide me with a fresh perspective. May I never misplace my drive to pursue You more deeply. In Your name Jesus. Amen.
