The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” Matthew 13:10
Today, the disciples come to Jesus with an honest question. In a few chapters, it’ll become clear they don’t understand what Jesus is saying and doing. With today’s verse, however, the context of the whole chapter shows that they were simply asking Him a question, asking “why do You speak plainly with us but not with others?”
It’s a fair question. In fact, I think we should all go to Jesus with honest questions all the time. We should go to Him with all kinds of questions about both big matters and those that are mundane. We should take our questions to Jesus even if they convict us of sins we want to deny, or uncomfortable truths we don’t want to face. And, yes, we should take questions to Jesus if we honestly don’t know something or if we’re so angry we can only see red.
He will answer us. Read that again: Jesus will answer us. I believe Jesus answers every prayer. God always listens to every prayer, but I also believe He answers every one. Sometimes the answer is one we’ll like; sometimes we’ll hate it. Sometimes the answer happens right away and sometimes it may take a lifetime to understand. Sometimes, we’ll never know the answer in this life. Most times, Jesus answers with a “no.” It isn’t an unkind no, but it’s usually a firm one. Sometimes we need to hear that “no” even when we don’t realize it…but Jesus does.
In today’s verse, the disciples weren’t praying for an answer; in fact, they hadn’t prayed to Jesus yet at all. He was there with them, in person. But it seems they genuinely didn’t know why He spoke to them plainly and to others in parables. It isn’t hard to understand, you know. In fact, I think the reason reveals Jesus’ human side. He only revealed His full thoughts and plans to certain people, to a select group. Even within that small circle of twelve friends (who were actually rabbinical students), Jesus didn’t share everything with everyone. Peter, John, and James were His closest friends and, to them, He sometimes revealed things He didn’t show the others.
We do that. We don’t share every side of ourselves with everyone. In a fallen world that is hostile to faith, doing so would be unwise. But we can share them all with Jesus, who is before and above and within and without the world. He’s our Savior and friend at the same time, both God and human just like us. It’s ok if we don’t know what He does, or even understand why He does some of the things He does. It’s simply enough to know He abides with us no matter what: more than just sometimes.
For more read: Matthew 13:11
Lord, I want to share all my in-most thoughts and questions with You. Hear my prayer, oh Lord.
Practical Proverbs 