The reason the simple truths hidden in the Bible are made difficult for most people to grasp is everyone is being tested to see whether they want the truth or not. Life on this planet is a precursor for eternal life—in that, we can conceive of eternal life but do not possess it, even though we have a taste of life temporarily. Everybody is placed here so that each one will choose one’s own future: life or death; And for humans, eternal death is not oblivion, just a cessation of purposeful activity.
The obvious fact is death reigns. The second obvious fact is that people are deceptive. The third obvious fact occurs when we realize that we are helpless to overcome death.
When we note what Jesus stated regarding the wise of this world and how He rejoiced in the fact that truth was hidden from them, we begin to understand why parables might appear ambiguous.
- At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.(Matthew 11:25–26)
Many people get a kick out of scoffing at the Bible. Many idiots get a buzz when they point the finger at Christians for being seemingly simple. In their delusion, they assert they are more intelligent and more superior beings, who have no need to acknowledge the Creator of the Universe. Yet God is cognizant of this fact, unbeknownst to them, and seeks to see who is humble and honest. Jesus, being God, explains to His disciples the reason why He spoke in parables:
- Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (Matthew 13:10–13)
Those who are humble acknowledge that there are two ways of discovering something. One is to seek someone out who might know the answer to the question. The other is to work the answer out for oneself.
Unfortunately, we encounter people who attempt to deceive us when seeking an answer. When this happens, if we realize that something is wrong, we have to find the answer to our question by another means. Much depends on the knowledge that we have at the time.
When it comes to life, and our reason for existing on this planet, we may ask someone why we are here. If we are satisfied with the person’s explanation, we will not seek another. If we are not satisfied with the explanation, we can seek an explanation from another source—or even another, if we are still not satisfied. If we are not satisfied with the explanations from a myriad of sources, we can either create our own or, if we are wise, seek the Creator of the Universe.
Why would we seek the Creator? We cannot see Him. But then, neither can we see the wind. We can feel the wind. So, maybe, we might be able to feel the Creator.
- And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being.(Acts 17:26–28)
If nobody can demonstrate a coherent reason for existence, other than being born to die, then a wise person would seek the Creator. If any personage in history has risen from the dead, that person should still be alive. Those who reject this, because they think there is nothing but this life, have no need for morality. They will do whatever they like, to whomever they like, whenever they like, as long as they believe they can get away with it. Those who accept that the Creator came to Earth in the form of Jesus of Nazareth, and that He rose from the dead, will call out to Him, so they may know Him. If the Creator does not answer or resurrected Jesus does not appear, then the dead are not raised..
As it happens, Jesus pointed to this, when providing the reason the truth is hidden from the wise of this world, saying:
- All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:27–30)
Evidently, the Son of God searches the hearts of men and determines to whom He will choose to reveal Himself. From what we read in Matthew, these appear to be those who are downtrodden and weary of heart, and even though they try to do what is right, they realize that evil gets the better of them. These are the one’s who ask for help. Whereas, those who revel in evil, cheating others and delight in the exaltation of themselves, miss out.
Parables are ambiguous because only those who are humble enough to learn from Lord Jesus will be shown what they really mean. Most of the parables of Jesus are actually truths that are found in the Old Testament. Tragically, I have yet to meet anybody who understands this.
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