Sunday, August 14, 2011

Explaining why more people didn't recognize Jesus as the Savior - Matthew 13

Matthew 13 is a chapter with many of the parables of the Savior. In Matthew 12, Matthew explains that the Jewish leaders didn't accept Jesus largely because they were looking for the wrong things. In Matthew 13, he continues to explain that many people didn't recognize Him because they didn't have the right perspective and attitudes. In fact, Jesus taught through many parables that only some would find and accept the Gospel and that it would be a long process for some. However, those that did accept would give up much to be a part of it and would bring forth good fruit.

The parable of the 4 types of soil, the pearl of great price, the wheat and the tares, the mustard seed, the leavened bread, the field with the treasure all help show why it's not obvious to the people of the earth what the kingdom of God is unless they have the right attitudes and are looking for it. Further, in teaching with parables, Jesus was fulfilling prophecy as written in the Psalms 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable:
This was not the first time the Jews would not hear the great teachers. Jeremiah also taught of this in Jeremiah 5: Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
Interestingly, it was a short time after Jeremiah spoke that Jerusalem was destroyed the first time and this happened again after Jesus' death as well.

The people didn't recognize the Savior because of their own blindness but not because it wouldn't be obvious if they chose to follow him and exercise faith. In our time, the same issue exists.

Just as Matthew wrote his book to help others come to Christ, please find the time to follow the Prophet of our day as they will also point to Christ. Some will not recognize Christ as the Savior or his Prophet as His servant, but that isn't evidence that they aren't chosen of God.

No comments: