given understanding

For years, perhaps my entire faith walk, Luke 8:10, Matthew 13:10, and Mark 4:13 left me puzzled.

In my early years, I was under the impression that Jesus taught in parables so that only a select few would understand. That His teachings were intentionally cryptic, reserved for a chosen inner circle.

In later years,

I came to understand that was not true. That He spoke in parables out of mercy, so that everyone would have access to understanding.

While that is true, it has been in my recent study that this truth went deeper.

Beyond simply access, to another level entirely. That is what I want to share with you today.

The granting and allowance of understanding His Word.

Luke 8:10

¹⁰ And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Given. Dedotai. Dedotai from didomi (δίδωμι), Strong's G1325, to give, to grant, to bestow, given by God, it has been given. (Greek)

understanding is given

The wisdom and knowledge of God is given, it is allowed. An allowance granted through the posture of one's heart.

A person's heart determines whether they will be granted the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, or whether they will simply hear a parable without understanding, or see a miracle and not perceive.

The Bible is the Word of God. Written text inspired by the Holy Spirit. The breath of God, breathing life into you.

II Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Inspiration. Theopneustos. Theopneustos from theos (θεός) and pneo (πνέω), Strong's G2315, God-breathed, breathed out by God, the living breath of God in written word. (Greek)

the parable of the sower

Your reception of His Word lies in your heart. To unpack this further, let us shift our attention to the Parable of the Sower, a deeply compelling parable for several reasons. I shared an entry on that.

First, it is among the earliest parables Jesus taught.

Second, it sets the foundation for His teachings regarding a person's reception of the Kingdom, His Word, and His warnings.

Third, it reveals the power of God's Word, its ability to extend mercy to those who receive it and to bring judgment upon those who do not.

Mark 4:11-12

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: 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.

It is through parables that Jesus, in love and mercy, made heavenly truths understandable through earthly examples. A simplicity that, when the heart is positioned to receive, allows an individual to be given the mysteries of the Word and the depth it carries, capable of transforming them from the inside out.

Yet that same simplicity holds authority and judgment, exposing the heart that refuses to receive. Revealing its hardness. Where even that which was given is taken away, even the little they have.

Matthew 13:12

¹² For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

In both love and mercy, the parables were designed to reveal the condition of the heart. A heart that is receptive and ready to receive the Word of God, or a heart that is hardened and rejects it.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus establishes the separation of spiritual understanding, revealing why some receive God's truth while others do not.

Seeing and hearing are not the same as perceiving and receiving. A person can only truly perceive what they see and clearly understand what they hear if their heart is positioned to receive it.most highlighted & shared

This is the weight of the Parable of the Sower. It shows you that a person's heart determines what they perceive and what they retain. This is why two people can sit under the same Word, yet walk away with completely different understandings.

It is the Holy Spirit who gives understanding when allowed through the reception of the heart, performing an internal work, bringing clarity, conviction, and interpretation.

no barrier between you and the word

Today's entry is essential for two reasons.

The first is drawing clarity around the fact that any person can be given understanding of the Word, based on whether they receive it in their heart. You have seen that so far in this entry.

The second is that you become aware that there is no barrier between you and your understanding of the Word of God. It is freely and liberally given to anyone that asks.

James 1:5

⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Liberally. Haplos. Haplos from haplous (ἁπλοῦς), Strong's G574, simply, openly, generously, without reserve. (Greek)

This is crucial in today's culture because, unfortunately, you have placed a barrier between your understanding of God's Word and your ministerial leaders, social media pastors, and podcasts. Alleviating the personal responsibility of getting to know God and growing in understanding of His Word.

when He was alone

In reading Mark's account of Jesus interpreting the Parable of the Sower, you see something absent from both Matthew and Luke's accounts.

In Mark 4, it was more than just the twelve disciples who inquired about the parable.

Mark 4:10

¹⁰ And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

This single verse reveals a great deal.

First, that Jesus separated Himself and was alone after teaching the parable. Second, those who wanted to know more sought Him out. They came to Him. Third, it was not only the twelve, but those who were with the twelve.

This verse paints a picture that the given understanding was not reserved for the twelve alone. It was available to anyone who asked and was willing to receive. Anyone who desires to know, with a heart of reception, He will teach.

ask, seek, and knock

When Jesus preaches on asking, seeking, and knocking in Matthew 7:7 and Luke 11, He is not simply speaking about natural provision. He is also speaking about the understanding of His Word.

Matthew 7:7-11

⁷ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ⁸ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 11:9-13

⁹ And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. ¹⁰ For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ¹¹ If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? ¹² Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Reading both accounts reveals that our God gives more than natural provision. Matthew closes with good things. Luke closes with the Holy Spirit Himself. The same asking, seeking, and knocking, two dimensions of what our Father gives to those who come to Him.

Proverbs 8:17

¹⁷ I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Understanding His Word is available to you. When you choose to receive His Word, He will liberally give it. Understanding is given, it is not discovered. Ask, seek, and knock for His understanding.