As Jesus taught the Parable of the Sower, He explained that some of the listeners were ever hearing but never understanding. The disciples wanted to understand the meaning of this parable. Mark 4: 10 Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.
11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, 12 so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’[1]
Quoting Isaiah
Jesus said He was fulfilling Scriptures. Isaiah 6: 9And he (God) said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’ 10 Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.” [2]
God had just given Isaiah a vision and was calling him to preach. But why would God call Isaiah to preach and then harden the hearts of the listeners? This sounds like God is preventing the listeners from coming to faith. That would be cruel and out of character for a loving God. Let’s examine more Scripture to gain a deeper understanding of what’s happening.
Hebrews 4: 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.[3] Being pierced with a sword is uncomfortable. Those who are open to God will allow Him in, even if the process hurts. Those who refuse God’s Word will harden their hearts and refuse to let God in. Thus, they will be ever hearing but never understanding.
Revelation to the Receptive
Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God. Matthew 4: 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom.[4] But Jesus was bringing a type of Kingdom that the people did not expect. They desired a political kingdom that would free them from Roman rule.
Jesus came to bring a spiritual Kingdom. John 18: 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” [5]
Thus, as Jesus explained the Parable of the Sower to His disciples, He was giving them revelation, or the secret of the Kingdom. This truth was dangerous because it was counter-cultural, so Jesus taught with parables. Those with hard hearts who refused to understand would eventually put Jesus to death. While they heard Jesus’ words, they did not understand them.
But some sought the deeper meaning of the parable and were rewarded with more revelation. Where is your heart? Is it open to the Word of God, or are you hardening your heart by refusing to listen? To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/learning-from-parables
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.