◄ What Does Matthew 13:12 Mean? ►

There came a trigger-point in Christ's ministry when He knew that Israel would reject His mission, ministry, and Messiahship. It seems to be at the point where the Pharisees committed the unpardonable sin of unbelief - by accusing Christ of performing His mighty miracles in the name of Beelzebub, rather than through the power of the Holy Spirit. It seems that when men call evil... good, and regard good as evil, they have hardened their hearts to the truth of the gospel, that Christ died for our sin, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scripture.

From this point forward, Jesus spoke to His followers in parables, so that those who believe in Him will have understanding, while the truth will be withheld from those whose hearts are hardened... so that their sin of unbelief will not be compounded. Unbelief is the one sin that God cannot forgive - "for those who do not believe are condemned already", because they refuse to listen to the Holy Spirit's convicting work.

However, veiling knowledge of the truth to unbelievers, through parabolic teachings, demonstrates the incredible grace of God - so that mans' sin will not be exacerbated, through their spiritual understanding. But how blessed are our eyes who have seen the truth and how favoured are our ears which have heard the glorious gospel of Christ! The same warming sun that softens the wax will harden the clay. The same Word that brings life, is the One Who brings death; the same truth that brings repentance, joy, and eternal life to a believer, produces a deeper hardening of the heart to an unbeliever, together with despair, hopelessness, and eternal death.

Not even the prophets of old, who desired to understand their own prophetic words, or the holy angels above, were privileged to understand the mysteries of the kingdom, which Christ reveals to Church-age believers. However, it was at this turning point in His ministry, that the Lord told the parable of the sower and explained to His faithful disciples why He was speaking in parables, "for whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have... even what he has shall be taken away from him."

The wonderful truths that Christ was sharing with his faithful followers, was that those who were open to spiritual truths, concerning salvation would receive abundantly. They would mature spiritually and gain an even greater understanding of biblical truth, while those who reject the same spiritual reality, would end up in a worse spiritual condition, because even the superficial knowledge they may have gleaned, through gospel truths, will be taken from them - and they would remain spiritual paupers, and face eternal separation from God.

The one who has much will receive more, and those with little will lose whatever they already have... is a general principle of life and living. However, the shocking consequences of opposition to the Spirit's convicting work in the spiritual realm... where the persistent unbeliever is in danger of having their hearts hardened, is a grave warning to all, of the horrific consequences of rejecting the gospel of God.

The stereotypical 'JESUS' of modern-day thinking, is far removed from the Man that marched to the cross, overturned the tables of the money-changers in the Temple of God, called the Jewish leaders, 'a brood of vipers' and vehemently condemned them of hypocrisy. While Jesus still is the God of love and grace and will eventually return to Jerusalem as Prince of Peace and King of kings, He is also the God of justice and righteousness.

While JESUS is the ever-faithful and gracious God who forgives sinners and clothes those who believe in Him in His robe of righteousness, He is the God Who cannot abide sin, and has determined that the soul that sins - through unbelief, will die. While the truth in John Chapter 3 is a comfort to all who believe, it is a serious warning to those who harden their heart to the truth of the gospel -  "For God loved the world so much that He gave His One and Only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

"God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God. This, then, is the judgment:- The Light has come into the world, and people love darkness rather than the Light because their deeds are evil."  

Heavenly Father, what a gracious and wise God You are to permit man to choose life or death, heaven or hell, forgiveness or condemnation, as a matter of free-will. Thank You for the light of the gospel of grace and for opening my eyes to the truth. Have mercy on those who of their own volition, choose the path to death, destruction, and condemnation. Continue to open my eyes to the truth and help me to choose the good and eschew the evil.. and reveal to rebellious men the horrific consequences of rejecting the gospel of Christ. This I pray in Jesus' name, AMEN.