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EXPERIENCING TOMORROW'S REALITY TODAY -- Daily Bible Study Devotionals

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

March 31, 2015

If you’ve ever been to a theme restaurant, you’ll know what I mean. It’s expected that table waiters will have a certain attitude, ridicule your menu selection, and practically throw your food order at you when it’s ready. If you don’t understand that, you’ll be disappointed and likely even outraged. The theme takes precedent even over food quality, but then that’s what customers are there for. 

We might say the same for Jesus’ parables. Were we part of the original audience, we might mistake His simple stories for entertainment rather than information. That is, if we didn’t understand the main theme. “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.” (Matthew 13.11)

The story plot is about the kingdom of God, and if we don’t understand that, we really don’t understand anything. "I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE’ “ (Matthew 13.13-14) To miss Jesus’ kingdom “plot” is to be doomed to fulfill an ancient prophecy from the prophet Isaiah.

I never cease to be amazed at the blank stares I’ve received when I’ve posed the question, “What did Jesus mean when He spoke about the kingdom of God?” His main plot has been largely ignored or misunderstood. And yet, nothing is more important! To miss His plot is to miss out on who He really is.

Matthew 13 contains a rich collection of kingdom parables. Few passages are as important for our careful study as this one. To gain insight into His key teachings here is to have our eyes opened to exciting and life-changing truth, and to ultimately know the Savior we desire to walk closely with. 

Don’t miss the main plot! Look at all of Jesus’ teachings, and the entire Bible, with this key plot in mind. You’ll forever be amazed at what you will discover.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2015
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