By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Editors Note: The devotional has a background song called 'You Can Go' which can be heard if you use Internet Explorer.

SCRIPTURE:
He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." (Mark 4:2-8, NIV)

 “Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that," 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'" (Mark 4:10-12, NIV)

“Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." (Mark 4:13-20, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself what did Jesus decide to do?

Interpretations:
I asked myself what is a parable?
I learned three things about a parable:

  .                     a.       An illustration turned into a tale.
                b.       A tale elaborated on the spur of the moment by a gifted     teacher.
                c.       A gifted teacher who used common everyday events that made up life to make a main point.

Observation:
I asked myself what happens after Jesus tells the parable?
Let us remember that a large crowd had gathered to hear Jesus and they heard this parable.  Jesus does something very interesting after telling the parable:

“Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9, NIV)

I asked myself what is the outcome?
No one in the large crowd asked Jesus what the parable meant except His disciples and the others around Him.

“When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables.” (Mark 4:10, NIV)

Jesus does not even answer them right away regarding the parable but makes two puzzling statements:

Observation/Interpretation/Application:
I asked myself what point was Jesus trying to get across by answering them this way?

I believe there were four reasons why Jesus spoke this way and can be remembered by the acronym: CARE!

Reason 1:
“It was to CONCEAL to those who were not genuinely interested in the ‘meaning of the parables’”

I believe, when Jesus spoke to large crowds with his parables he did not want to force his truth on those whose hearts were already hardened.

In v. 9, “Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9, NIV)

Jesus wants those who are there to hear Him and take to heart what is being said. Those who just hear a message may not necessarily understand what it means. A parable weeds out those who are not seriously interested in the message being given (v. 12)

“So that," 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding;” (Mark 4:12, NIV)

Jesus wants his message to sink into the hearts of the people. Jesus is calling each person and wants that person to take his illustration very seriously.

 If their hearts were hardened, they would not grasp what the parable meant nor ask what it meant. They would just ignore it. In that way, though they see Jesus’ illustration they would not really perceive what it means and though they hear they would not really understand what it meant. So, they cannot be forgiven because they have not acted upon what Jesus has told them because their hearts have been hardened. There is a cyclical effect here.

Reason 2:
“It was to APPEAL to those genuinely interested in ‘meaning of the parables’

On the other hand if their hearts were not hardened such as the disciples and those around Him, they would be more curious about what the parable meant and ask Jesus to explain it to them. This way it would be of their free choice learning about the secrets of the Kingdom of God rather than being forced to learn it. They would have gained more understanding but also realize the cost of following Jesus.

Reason 3:
”It was to REVEAL to those genuinely interested in the ‘meaning of the parables’”

Those who were interested in what Jesus was saying would ask Jesus about it and Jesus would then reveal the meaning to them so they could understand. I saw that with the Parable of the Sower or four soils.

Reason 4: 
“It was to fulfill prophecy”

People there who knew their Scriptures would know that this was a fulfillment of prophecy given in Isaiah.

In the Book of Isaiah chapter 6, v. 9 we learn, "Go and tell this people: `Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' (Isaiah 6:9, NIV)

Observation:
I asked myself what is the explanation Jesus gave to the disciples?

I remember that every parable has a ‘central point or theme to it and read the explanation:

“Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." (Mark 4:13-20, NIV)

Interpretation:
I asked myself what does the parable relate to?
I learned that the parable can be categorized into four types:

I also learned that many parables could overlap especially with ‘Relating to God’s Kingdom’. The one the Lord has been teaching me today has to do with God’s Kingdom and our Christian Walk.

There is no need to interpret the "Parable of the Sower" because Jesus already explained it. Interpretation is needed for parables that have not been explained.

Source: Most of the bulleted points I shared regarding parables came from the IVP Dictionary and IVP study guide on parables.

I ask you now dear friend, what do parables mean to you?
Dear friend, parables have a central theme and meaning. Even this parable has a central theme and meaning, especially our walk with the Lord. We can learn a lot about parables by interpreting them the right way. To do that we need the help of the Lord as we allow Him to guide us and lead us. May we understand the parables Jesus gives us and apply them to our own lives.

May we take the parables to realize our own sinfulness before the Lord and allow Him to change us and transform us knowing that He alone can do it because of the price He already paid to redeem us at the cross of Calvary. His Blood is for you. He loves you so much and shed His blood dying on the cross, being buried, and coming back to life on the 3rd day to save. He wants to save you friend. If you know Him, you can rest in Him but if you don't know Him personally, you can come to know Him and allow Him to deliver you from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus waits to do that friend. Come as you are and ask Jesus Christ to transform you and save you. HE WILL!

To be continued......

“People Are Revealed Almighty’s Beautiful Lessons Emancipating Souls!” (P.A.R.A.B.L.E.S)/”What do parables mean to you in life?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for helping me learn about parables and why you speak in parables. Thank you for the parables you have taught. Help us to learn what you would have us learn from each parable. Thank you Jesus! Thank you that you hear us and answer us. Please forgive us our sin and help us Oh Lord for the glory and honor of your Name. Teach us your ways Oh Lord and help us to learn from you. Cleanse us with your cleansing blood and we will be clean again, wash us and we will be whiter than snow. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for your mercy and your grace. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior. You know the times I have messed up and the times I would mess up and you still chose me to be your child. Thank you so much Jesus. I love you Jesus. Thank you for dying for my sin and coming back to life to save me. Thank you that you have heard our prayer and answered us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

ANALOGY OF INVITING PEOPLE TO THE GREAT PHYSICIAN:

We are like an ambulance taking sick people to the hospital. People are dying and there is an emergency because of an epidemic virus. The ambulance takes the initiative to go to the place people are dying and bring them to the hospital. They are not dead yet but there is no time to wait. The ambulance needs to get to the hospital for that virus to be treated. The virus has infected the mind, body, and soul spreading rapidly. You and I cannot do anything to heal our friends of this virus except be the AMBULANCE taking them to the HOSPITAL where the GREAT PHYSICIAN waits.

Once at the hospital, there is a GREAT PHYSICIAN that waits. The sick are gathered from all corners of the earth and come to this hospital.  This hospital is called CALVARY OF SALVATION and the EMERGENCY WARD is called GOLGOTHA.

The GREAT PHYSICIAN is not like other doctors who can only treat patients with  physical ailments but this GREAT PHYSICIAN is much more and knows He has to stay 72 HOURS for every dying person there to be healed.

He knows what He has to do! This GREAT PHYSICIAN knew that only His BLOOD can wipe away this epidemic VIRUS, so for you and me He went to the blood transfusion room where people were about to die. There He lay down on the bed  made of wood.

The surgeons walk into the room. They turn this GREAT PHYSICIAN on His back.  Instead of using an IV, a WHIP with sharp glass, etc is used to draw out the BLOOD from the GREAT PHYSICIAN'S back! It does not stop there but to elevate the head on the bed of wood, a CROWN OF THORNS is used which draws more BLOOD.

As the head is elevated, the GREAT PHYSICIAN's hands are stretched wide on the wooden bed. Then the feet are bound together. This is done for the BLOOD transfusion to begin. Instead of using an IV, NAILS and a HAMMER is used. The NAILS are pounded through the hands into the wooden bed with a HAMMER so the BLOOD flows and that BLOOD is saved. The NAILS are pounded through the feet into the wooden bed with a HAMMER so more BLOOD flows and that BLOOD is saved. As the BLOOD continues to flow from the GREAT PHYSICIAN's body, the GREAT PHYSICIAN flat lines. Then the surgeons insert a SPEAR into the heart to make sure all the BLOOD is out. All the BLOOD is out!

Now, the GREAT PHYSICIAN is moved into the JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA MORGUE being guarded by security.

Now the CALVARY OF SALVATION hospital has a BLOOD DONOR whose BLOOD can be used to save everyone there from this EPIDEMIC VIRUS. 

Those dying need to be taken there to receive the BLOOD transfusion that is available. However, the BLOOD will not be forced upon those dying! THE PUREST RED ANTIDOTE is only given to those that are willing to receive the BLOOD TRANSFUSION so they could LIVE.

All that accept the BLOOD are being CLEANSED of this EPIDEMIC VIRUS in their system that is infecting the mind, body, and soul.  This BLOOD goes into the dying person's mind, body, and soul and eats away at the virus cleaning them and making them pure. This VIRUS is known as SIN. The BLOOD is the PRECIOUS CLEANSING BLOOD OF THE GREAT PHYSICIAN, JESUS CHRIST.

The WOODEN BED is the CROSS OF CHRIST where the dying need to be led too.

72 HOURS LATER, there is a commotion at the JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA MORGUE. THE GREAT PHYSICIAN is not there anymore and the ANGELS that visit tell loved ones who came there, that THE GREAT PHYSICIAN IS ALIVE and will save all that come to Him.

It is true even to this day, for all that come to the HOSPITAL OF CALVARY come to realize that His CLEANSING BLOOD shed on the WOODEN BED (CROSS) will never run out. Anyone infected who wants to be healed of their sickness can accept what Jesus did for them and be covered in His precious CLEANSING BLOOD.

I have done that friend and know that at the foot of the cross where Jesus died shedding His precious cleansing blood for my sin and the sins of the world, I can find forgiveness and grace.

Thanks be to God that Christ's death on the cross was temporary to remove all His precious cleansing blood for our sake but after He was buried, Jesus came back to life to save.

To this day, all who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved when they acknowledge what Jesus Christ has done for them and what He can do for them.

Friend, Jesus loves you so much and if you were the only one living on earth, Jesus would have done the same for you. What I shared with you was an analogy but in real life it has happened. Jesus went to the cross for you and me and His precious cleansing blood was shed so you and I could have life. Jesus came back to life 72 hours later and is alive but His blood continues to heal people on every corner of the earth to those that accept Him.

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart. You can invite the GREAT PHYSICIAN right now as you make this your prayer.

Dear Jesus, thank you for healing the paralytic after forgiving his sins. You set him free to go home. I want to be free. I don’t know everything about you. I still have a lot of questions. What I do know is that you died on the cross for my sins. When it comes to sin, I am a paralytic Oh Lord. I am infected with this deadly disease known as sin. I am not perfect but a sinner who needs your cleansing blood to clean me of my sin. I confess to you my sin and repent of my sin. I know you have forgiven me when you died on the cross. I want to accept that forgiveness. Thank you for shedding your cleansing precious blood for me. You were nailed to the cross because of me. It is like I actually held the hammer and pounded the nails so I could be free. Thank you for willingly dying for me Jesus. Thank you for taking the shame and pain for me. Thank you for doing that to set me free. I come to the cross and ask you for your healing in my life. Thank you for the power of your Blood to redeem humanity. Thank you for coming back to life to save us and give us Eternal Life as we yield to you. Your blood can heal us where we are. I love you Jesus. I want you Jesus. Even with my questions, I come to you now and accept you into my heart. Please Jesus come into my heart and make my heart your home. Give me a transfusion of change. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus. I acknowledge you now as my Lord and Personal Savior. Please be the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior Jesus and because of what you have done for me when God looks at me, He now sees me covered in your blood and His judgment passes over me. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thank you for being with me Lord. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus I now belong to you and never need to be alone! You will always be with me and have given me Salvation.  In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)