READING: Genesis 9-11, Mark 4
Jesus often taught with parables, using simple stories and illustrations to teach deeper truths. He taught them in such a way that those who believed would understand and learn, but those with hardened hearts would not understand. In that sense, parables became instruction for His followers and judgment on His opponents.
At the same time, though, it appears that even Jesus’ disciples didn’t always understand immediately. After He told them the parable of the sower, those around Him (including His disciples) asked Him privately about the parables. He responded, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand all of the parables?” (Mark 4:13). Apparently, they, too, sometimes showed their hearts weren’t fully comprehending His teaching. Later in the chapter, the text reminds us again that Jesus explained everything privately to His disciples (Mark 4:34). Throughout this chapter is evidence of Jesus’ patience and persistence as a teacher. Good teachers—and Jesus, of course, was the perfect teacher—recognize when their students struggle to understand, and they do what it takes to assure the students still learn.
Sometimes we honestly want to understand what God’s teaching us, but we just don’t “get it” yet—and Jesus lovingly, patiently, graciously teaches us again. How grateful I am that Jesus doesn’t give up on me each time I don’t fully grasp His teachings!
PRAYER: “Thank You, Lord, for Your willingness to keep teaching me even when I’m a slow learner.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 12-15, Psalm 148, Mark 5