Solving Scripture

# 351 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 4:33: “And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.”

Many such parables. Many such illustrations, using the things of this earth, Jesus taught kingdom truths. Here's the things about parables. They are puzzles. They are the kind of puzzles that once you find the key, you can solve them.

We have already told you that one of the keys to unlocking parables is to look for Jesus in them, but still another key is spiritual discernment. This spiritual discernment comes from the Holy Spirit. It comes to those who have been “born-again.”

1 Cor 2:14 says, “The natural person (one who is not born again) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are folly to him.”

So the first step to understanding ANY scripture is to be a believer.

The disciples were blessed in that they were with Jesus, and He made sure He fully explained the parables to them. It's interesting to note that the word used for “explained” here means “solved.” Jesus solved all the parables for His disciples!

Think in terms of a sudoku puzzle or a crossword puzzle. Whereas those who weren't with Jesus had empty spaces in their puzzles, the disciples had theirs completely and correctly filled in.

Are you struggling with missing pieces from your puzzle? Some parts of Scripture that you just don't get? Don't fret. Jesus has the answers, remain in Him. Keep working the puzzle. Stay in His Word and when the time is right, He will teach you what you need to know. And don't worry if your puzzle is unfinished, or you get stuck. Move on to another section of the puzzle! Those missing answers will all be furnished when we are in glory.

The Apostle Paul freely admitted that he didn't know it all. Listen to what he said in 1 Cor 13:12b: “For the present the knowledge I gain is imperfect; but then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (WNT)

Something to look forward to!

I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.