Can I Let You In On a Secret? - Matthew 13


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Matthew 13:10-13
The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables. 11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see: though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
Some people wonder why some people were able to understand the parables and others weren't.  Why were some in on the secret and some not?  Is that fair?  Since we know Jesus would not intentionally try to block someone from hearing the gospel, how do we explain this passage?
“The parable conceals truth from those who are either too lazy to think or too blinded by prejudice to see. It puts the responsibility fairly and squarely on the individual. It reveals truth to him who desires truth; it conceals truth from him who does not wish to see the truth.” (Barclay)
We don't know why God's word falls deaf on some people's ears but not on others.  The parables in this chapter teach that the devil has something to do with this.  They also teach that a person's heart condition can also affect the soil in which God's word is planted.  In fact in the Parable of the Sower there is only one scenario where the seed is planted, takes root, and bears fruit exponentially.  The seed is said to have fallen on Good Soil.  
At the end of the day I think the question we can ask ourselves is, "Do we desire and are open to God's word taking root in our lives?"  Do we seek the truth?  Do we apply the truth we already know in our daily life?  Though ultimately it is only the Holy Spirit that can enlighten our hearts to understand God's word, we can reject God's word. Our unwillingness and hard heartedness can thwart any growth of the kingdom in our hearts and lives.  
As Jesus said regarding prayer, "Ask, seek and knock and the door will be opened for you!"

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