Most of us find our way through the day based on our “gut.” Gut defined: The collection of education, life experiences and instincts that helps us make tons of micro-decisions each day. (Ex. Flip the light switch up to turn it on, hot water is on the left side of the sink, turn the lid left to loosen and right to tighten.) We don’t think every action through, but go with what “feels right.”
This works until we face “counterintuitive” situations that go against the grain of what we expect. For me, Jesus falls into this category. He may seem pedestrian or predictable to some, but Jesus is fond of turning our expectations on their heads. For example, think about the way He teaches.
WAS JESUS A BAD OR LAZY TEACHER?
Great teachers explain things so that you understand them. Based on this standard, was Jesus a great teacher?
When Jesus taught the masses, He often told simple stories about everyday stuff (fishing, farming, weddings, etc.) and then offered no further explanation. Explanations are usually given in private to His inner circle. With the crowds, Jesus spins a yarn, hints that it relates to His Kingdom and then says: “Now you go figure it out.”
What gives? Why is Jesus so veiled? Is He unprepared? Lazy? Uncaring? Isn’t His mission to help the world understand who He is? Why doesn’t He explain Himself more? We aren’t the first to ask these questions.
THE MADNESS BEHIND THE METHOD
After another fantastic (but unexplained) story in Matthew 13:1-9, Jesus’ followers request an explanation: The disciples (Mt 13:10) asked him, “Why do you use stories as illustrations when you speak to people?”
Jesus answered, “Knowledge about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you. But it has not been given to the crowd. Those who understand these mysteries will be given more knowledge, and they will excel in understanding them. However, some people don’t understand these mysteries. Even what they understand will be taken away from them.” (Mt 13:11-12)
Maybe I’m reading it wrong, but this doesn’t sound right or fair. Jesus teaches in stories so that some people WON’T understand? It might help to let Jesus finish His train of thought:
This is why I speak to them this way. They see, but they’re blind. They hear, but they don’t listen. They don’t even try to understand. So they make Isaiah’s prophecy come true: ‘You will hear clearly but never understand. You will see clearly but never comprehend. These people have become close-minded and hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. And they never return to me for healing!’ (Matthew 13:13-15)
Why doesn’t Jesus explain Himself more clearly? Because everyone in the crowd doesn’t really want to understand. Tasking them to wrestle with the stories reveals their level of spiritual hunger and openness.
And catch this- geographic proximity isn’t enough. Jesus is talking about people who showed up and listened to Him teach. They came to the right place, but didn’t bring open hearts and minds with them. Could the same thing be said about us? We may show up on a Sunday, read the Bible, serve the needy or have conversations about faith with friends- but if our hearts and minds aren’t open, we won’t get it.
IT’S A TEST
Jesus tells us to go figure out His stories to test our desire for Him. He wants to know how much we want it. We’ve experienced this before. Ever tried out for a sports team? The first few practices are tortuous tests of desire. The coach doesn’t care how well you can play. She wants to know if you WANT to play. Ever taken an entry-level job? Been given grunt work that seems to have little to do with the profession? A test to see if you WANT to work there.
After the explanation in Matthew 13, Jesus tells a follow-up story in Mark 4:21-25: Jesus said to them, “Does anyone bring a lamp into a room to put it under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a lamp stand? There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. There is nothing kept secret that will not come to light. Let the person who has ears listen!” (vv. 21-23)
What is this yarn about? What every teacher longs to see happen for his or her pupils: ENLIGHTENMENT. Jesus wants to see the light come on in our eyes. How does that happen? He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you’re listening to! Knowledge will be measured out to you by the measure of attention you give. This is the way knowledge increases.” (vs. 24)
How do we come to know Jesus? We pay attention. We question, seek after and wrestle with the person and ways of Jesus.
And catch this -- our desire for God has a multiplying effect: "Those who understand these mysteries will be given more knowledge. However, some people don’t understand these mysteries. Even what they understand will be taken away from them.” (vs. 25)
What happens if this plays out in our lives? If our hunger and pursuit of God is multiplied? Will we get more of Jesus because we are seeking more of Him? Will we get less because we don’t really want to know anyway?
FINAL GRADES
For Jesus as a teacher? A+ in my book. For us as students? The test is still in progress. And it isn’t a measurement of the knowledge in our heads, but of the desire in our hearts and our willingness to pay attention to God.
Some questions to help in our prep:
- If my desire for God were a candle, how would I describe the flame today? Smoldering? Flickering? Out? Steady? Raging? Something else?
- Which is easier for me- to put my eyes and ears in the right place to hear God- or to open my heart and mind to him? Why? What helps me do both?
- If “knowledge is measured out to us by the measure of attention we give”, what am I doing to pay attention to God today? How am I seeking Him?
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