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.

Testifying of Jesus' Divinity to the Jews - Matthew's Quest

Matthew is trying to testify of Jesus' divinity to the Jews in his writings.

http://classic.scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/g/52

The most obvious example of this is his inclusion of multiple Old Testament scriptures and then his explanation of how Jesus fulfilled those scriptures. In addition to this he also tells multiple stories that show people watching Jesus do things that no other human being could do.

I believe that's his purpose in sharing a string of stories in Matthew 8 and 9. Jesus was able to control the weather.

24And, behold, there arose a great ^atempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26And he saith unto them, Why are ye ^afearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and ^brebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the ^asea obey him!

Devils recognized who He is.

28¶And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with ^adevils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before ^athe time?

He could forgive sins and cause the lame to walk. Not only that, but many people saw this happen.

2And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the ^apalsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their ^bfaith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good ^ccheer; thy ^dsins be forgiven thee.

3And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, Thisman blasphemeth.

4And Jesus ^aknowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

5^aFor whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

6But that ye may know that the ^aSon of man hath ^bpower on earth to ^cforgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

7And he arose, and departed to his house.

8But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

These are tremendous evidences of Jesus' divinity. Experiences in which miracles occurred and many people saw these miracles. I love reading these stories, as I feel that Jesus was indeed our Savior and the Son of God and that He did things no man has ever done because He is greater than us all. Most importantly, despite his great power, He loves us and helps us just like he helped those people.

Have a great day.