READING:
One-year plan: Genesis 41:37-43:34, Matthew 13:31-58
Two-year plan: Genesis 24:21-67, Matthew 8:14-27
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I love it when a teacher really teaches—that is, when an educator knows his or her audience, recognizes when students don’t “get it,” and teaches them again to help them learn and grow. We saw Jesus teaching His disciples that way regarding the parable of the sower, and today’s reading illustrates the same with the parable of the weeds in the field. The disciples wanted explanation of the parable and were unafraid to ask for an interpretation—and Jesus was graciously willing to grant their request.
In so doing, Jesus not only illustrated good teaching, but He also made it possible for us—who also may not have understood all Jesus taught at the time—to understand the parable as well. In addition, as one writer concluded, “Jesus’ explanation serves as a model for the disciples to use in interpreting the other parables.”* How grateful I am that Jesus models faithfulness for us even as He is patient with us in our lack of understanding! He knows our questions before we ask them, but He hears them and responds to them when we ask. He is much more patient with our lack of understanding than we likely are with each other’s.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How willing are you to ask for help when you don’t “get it”?
PRAYER: “God, help me to hear and follow Your teachings.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Genesis 44-46, Matthew 14:1-33
Two-year plan: Gen 25:1–26:11, Matt 8:28–9:8
* Haller, H. M., Jr. (2010). The Gospel according to Matthew. In R. N. Wilkin (Ed.), The Grace New Testament Commentary (pp. 64–65). Grace Evangelical Society.