He spoke in parables and riddles - פ
Jesus spoke in parables and riddles and explained why in one of the most "not understood" ways. He said he spoke in parables so that they would not be converted and their sins would not be forgiven. [1]
This runs contrary to the popular belief that Jesus was trying to get people to believe in him but failed. It runs counter to the popular belief that Jesus spoke in parables so that simple people could understand. He spoke in parables so that they would not understand and would not get saved. It was a judgement against them. Ouch, I just stepped on a bunch of toes, because it is a judgement against us as well.
The foundation
No one can be saved without the cross. [2]
Old Testament saints did not get saved through sacrifices. [3]
They were given a promise of salvation through the Messiah. [4]
Therefore God would not permit anyone to be saved before the cross, or the cross would have been in vain. But God did not prevent them from believing! Their own hearts prevented them from seeing the mystery hidden from the beginning. [5]
The Son of Man, Jesus in the flesh, was born a baby and had to learn who we was and what he was to do from the scriptures; from the same mystery we can now read. It was not hidden from him because his heart was pure.
Our inability to read the mystery is a conviction of our hearts. We must become as the little child to enter the teaching [6] The kingdom of heaven IS teaching! And we must enter in as Christ did in order to see what he saw of the mystery. He and the apostles showed us how.
Jesus spoke in riddles so that AFTER the cross, so we could be honored to interpret the mystery... the riddles contained in them. [7] [8] But salvation was not available to any through teaching alone. They had to wait for the cross. [9]
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References
- ↑ Mr 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables: Mr 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them.
- ↑ 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
- ↑ Heb 10:4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
- ↑ Heb 9:15 ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
- ↑ Mt 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
- ↑ Lu 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
- ↑ Pr 25:2 ¶ [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.
- ↑ Ps 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings [riddles] of old:
- ↑ Ge 3:22 ¶ And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
