Neil Marten, a member of the British Parliament, was once giving a group of his constituents a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament. During the course of the visit, the group happened to meet Lord Hailsham, then lord chancellor, wearing all the regalia of his office. Hailsham recognized Marten among the group and cried, “Neil!” Not daring to question or disobey the “command,” the entire band of visitors promptly fell to their knees! This is an amusing example of hearing but not understanding. But we all know that consequences can be far more frustrating or threatening. I personally find being misunderstood one of the more difficult aspects of relationships.
Have you ever delivered what you thought was good news, or encouragement, only to find that your words have been misconstrued – perhaps even to the complete opposite effect – and you now have an offended friend rather than an encouraged one? This happened to Jesus frequently. In Matthew chapters 11 and 12 we find Jesus ministering clearly and powerfully in word and deed, and is yet misunderstood and rejected repeatedly. Miracles are seen in cities that remain unrepentant. He heals the withered hand, but in an exercise of missing the point the Pharisees complain that it is on the Sabbath. Besides displaying the power that can only come from God, Jesus is displayed in the following ways: he was greater than the temple, the servant of God and sinners, loved by God and filled with the Spirit, the hope for the hurting, the greatest prophet, the wisest King, our elder Brother. The only reasonable accusation he should face is that he is indeed the Messiah and Son of God. Yet by the end of chapter 12 he faces hardened hearts rather than humbled hearts.
Over the next six weeks we will be looking at the parables of Jesus found in Matthew 13 in a series I am calling “The Kingdom of Heaven: Now and Forever”. This beautifully structured chapter is full of familiar but challenging stories. It is fair to say that Jesus invented the parable as we know it. His stories are rooted in everyday life, but often take a dramatic turn. Seeds suddenly bearing fruit: 30, 60, and even 100 fold. Characters either richly fascinating or mundanely ordinary do puzzling things that reveal deep truths in engaging ways. All of them reveal aspects to something Matthew calls the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’. What are the implications of this kingdom’s arrival? Collectively the parables speak to conflict and fruitfulness, judgment and prophecy, truth and evil, and eternal value. Through all of the challenges in the path of God’s Kingdom one thing is clear: the Kingdom advances! Secondly, we see clearly the heart of our saviour as he pleads with us to hear with understanding.
I pray we would hear again these timeless stories with hearts humbled before the King.
Much love,
Pastor Gary
