Newly found writing By Jay Ferris!
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In the following passage notice the question, and the differentiation between “you” and “them”…
And the disciples came and said unto him, ‘Why do you speak unto them in parables?’
He answered, ‘Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 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. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, ‘By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew 13:10-17
For present purposes I’d like to touch on the “eyes that see not” part of the problem. Jesus spoke to them in parables because He had spiritual truth He wanted to communicate, truth not easily seen with earthly eyes and not to be understood as earthly truth. Rather it was spiritual truth concerning the invisible God, truth that can be seen and understood in the things that are created, but apparently not so easy for most to grasp.
By putting the Truth in the form of parables, those who had earthly eyes and intent only on seeing earthly things, couldn’t get it.
Jesus answered and said to those who the Father had given Him, “… To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not granted,” Matthew 13:11.
Furthermore the way that God had chosen to impart the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven was to have Jesus explain them in private.
And with many such parables spoke He the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spoke He not to them: and when they were alone, He expounded all things to his disciples. Mark 4:33, 34
This tells me that Jesus was not authorized to explain these mysteries in the seeing of those who only had earthly eyes to see earthly things.
Here’s the deal as it struck me just now. If the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are explained to earth-bound people, they receive the explanation into their flesh, and put it into practice. They even put it on others in the flesh.
It looks to me like Jesus didn’t want to outfit “dog and pony shows” by explaining things for the understanding or misunderstanding of the flesh, as the case may be.
Of course, the life of Christ and His approach to the government of His Kingdom is in the Spirit. That’s bad for a couple of things that have been very popular for many years in what’s calling itself “church,” namely pre-eminence and income.
Prostitution is a problem as it is, but wanting to be a center stage prostitute compounds the problem. This is the one who is in it for both money and reputation.
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is sufficient for such a thing? For we are not like the great number who make use of the word of God for profit: but our words are true, as from God, being said as before God in Christ
~2 Cor. 2:15-17
Love!
Loving Like God 
Merchants do what they know, they merchandise what they have, and money is the medium for exchange.
Lovers do what they know, they Love, and His Love is the medium for exchange.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
Pamela, thanks for sharing this. What is funny is the timing. I just finished watching the Abbot and Costello routine, “Who’s on First” on YouTube then I found the notice of your posting of this great truth that Jay had shared. As you superficially read those words of our Lord about why He taught in parables His words seem to double back on themselves like this famous comedy routine. ” 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. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” These people to whom the secrets of the kingdom are NOT given have ears, eyes and understanding, but only when it comes to temporal things of this world. So they see, but are blind, They hear, but are deaf, They think they understand, but are really clueless!
I see this all the time when I get that ‘deer in the headlights’ look from Christians when I try to share with some of them the depths of the plan of God for His creation and how it goes way beyond being “church saved.” The secrets of the kingdom that were hidden from the ages is that God has always desired a family of sons and daughters just like Jesus who have the very same closeness of relationship with the Father as HE does (read John. Ch. 17, Romans 8, etc.) His plan was not to just get fallen man back to having his sins washed away under the blood (first base), but to take him on into perfection (home plate).
So, to get from first base all the way to Home, His kingdom as kingdom of God citizens, it takes a constant infusion of the Spirit’s revelation and a constant inward working of the cross to bring us into obedience to what has been revealed to us. BUT if you think you understand all that there is once you have prayed a “sinner’s prayer” you are about the same place that the Pharisees were, having ears but can not hear, eyes but can not see and understand just enough to think yourself wise, but remain a spiritual fool. I see this a lot down here in the Bible Belt of the US. The revelation of the Holy Spirit as our God-given Teacher is imperative if we are to grow up into the fullness of Christ, as is a constant hunger to know Him in an ever deeper way and a willingness to embrace all that is of Him including His cross and sufferings and not just His power.
Bless you all as you keep seeking the One who loves you and ALL that He is. “Ask and you shall receive… KEEP asking, KEEP seeking, KEEP knocking!
“This tells me that Jesus was not authorized to explain these mysteries in the seeing of those who only had earthly eyes to see earthly things.”
This “authorization” is the indwelling Holy Spirit, who gives Spiritual eyes and ears only to those who were chosen from the beginning. (Eph. 1:4) It’s interesting when you think of the disciples before Jesus’ resurrection. Though He explained many things to them, it wasn’t until the Spirit came upon them that they remembered all He had told them.
As we grow from glory to glory, we will become more attentive to the Spirit in us, thus knowing whether to speak or remain silent. We are listening for the Spirit in others.
See my comment on the previous blog, “Out of one, into another”.
My final comment on that blog, that is. :-)
Such great comments everyone. What a blessing to see conversation here, I can’t tell you how much it warms my heart! .