SHARING BREAD
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables;
he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
Matt
13:34-35 (NIV)
In parabolic jargon, Jesus made known the mysterious
manifold wisdom of God – things that had been prior hidden for ages and
generations now made known to the saints.
Not only was our Lord teaching Truths not previously revealed He was
also fulfilling prophecy by the parables He spoke:
2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden
things, things from of old-- Psalms
78:2 (NIV)
The mystery of the Gospel had been hidden in God – in His purposes
and decrees for ages past. Grace was now
being poured out and the unsearchable riches of Christ were becoming known to
those who had ears to hear. Paul tells
us in Ephesians his like calling:
8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people,
this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ, 9 and
to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages
past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. Eph
3:8-9 (NIV)
I am also reminded of Paul’s words to the Colossians who again
stated his commission of presenting the Word of God in its fullness – the
hidden Word now made manifest:
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave
me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and
generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the
Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope
of glory. 28 We
proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may
present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To
this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in
me. Col 1:25-29 (NIV)
“His
wisdom’s vast, and knows no bounds, a deep where all our thoughts are
drowned.” Isaac Watts
The fullness of the mystery of the wisdom of God is found in
Christ alone. It is not simply in
obtaining more information from God; rather it is coming to know what He is
like and seeking to follow His ways through His power. The Word is only ours
when we have acted on it - becoming effective when we have allowed God to move
our hearts and minds and our actions. Jesus
came to flesh out God to man. The
“wisdom” of the world knows Him not.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is
the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its
wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was
preached to save those who believe. 1
Cor 1:20-21 (NIV)
30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who
has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and
redemption. 1 Cor 1:30 (NIV)
God Himself provides all revelation – all means of knowing
Him. Our understanding comes not from
our futile pursuits. Obtaining spiritual
knowledge however does require our diligence but it is a diligence and desire
to hear from Him – to seek Him with ears prepared and attentive to listen and
respond. God has called every believer to
go further still in our depth and knowledge of Him – we were not saved for
superficiality. It is our privilege to delve
into a richer and fuller knowledge of Him Who is boundless in His wisdom. Every sliver of knowledge obtained also
carries with it the call to its obedience.
Use it or lose it.
“All true knowledge of God is born out of obedience.” John Calvin
“God will never reveal more truth about Himself till you obey what you know already.” Oswald Chambers
Jeremiah tells us:
12 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,
and I will listen to you. 13 You
will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will
bring you back from captivity.” Jer
29:12-14 (NIV)
“It is light that enables us to see the differences between
things; and it is Christ who gives us light.” Augustus Hare
What I glean from this:
· Jesus made known the mysterious manifold
wisdom of God through parables for those who had ears to hear.
· God’s grace was poured out in the Lord
Jesus.
· I am called to act on the Truth I
know. It is to transform my life.
