Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the only true God, who came down in human flesh to redeem us (John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16).
There are certain things Jesus did during His earthly ministry that may seem unexpected to us. While it’s true that He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10), He did not make salvation superficial or automatic. He made it available, but He also made it clear that the path is narrow and must be sought with sincerity (Matthew 7:13–14).
Jesus Didn’t Reveal Truths to Everyone Equally
Unlike what many assume today, Jesus wasn’t impressed by crowds. A large number of people followed Him wherever He went—some seeking healing, others out of curiosity, and some for miracles. But Jesus didn’t equate popularity with genuine discipleship. He didn’t reveal the deep truths of God’s kingdom to just anyone in the crowd.
Instead, He often taught in parables—simple stories that contained deeper spiritual meaning. These weren’t meant to entertain but to filter. They required spiritual hunger and humility to understand. Without that, a person might hear the story, enjoy it, and leave unchanged.
“And when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parables. And He said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”
—Mark 4:10–12 (ESV)
Jesus quoted from Isaiah 6:9–10 to show that many people’s hearts were hardened—they could hear His words but remain blind to their true meaning because they lacked repentance.
Salvation Requires a Sincere Heart
Jesus doesn’t just save people who listen; He saves those who earnestly seek Him and truly want to understand and obey Him.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
—Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
This is why Jesus often spoke indirectly. His goal was not just to inform but to transform—and only those who truly desired to know Him would take the time to ask questions and seek deeper meaning. This explains why, after teaching the crowd in parables, He would later explain their meaning privately to His disciples (Matthew 13:10–11).
Many Followed Jesus for the Wrong Reasons
In Jesus’ day, many who followed Him were merely observers. Some came for miracles (John 6:26), others out of curiosity or skepticism, and others were even spies (Luke 20:20). Few actually followed Him to know Him and receive the truth that leads to eternal life (John 17:3).
Today, the same problem exists. Churches are full, and many claim to seek God. But unless a person is personally committed to following Jesus—learning from Him, obeying His Word, and surrendering their life—salvation will remain a concept, not a reality.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
—Matthew 7:21 (ESV)
Why Salvation Feels Powerless for Some People
Some people claim to be saved but continue to live in bondage to sin—sexual immorality, drunkenness, pride, and ignorance of God’s will. They may have attended church for years but still don’t know God’s redemptive plan, such as the Rapture, or even recognize that we are living in the final church age—the church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14–22).
They might say, “I know Jesus,” but the evidence is missing from their lives. Even in Jesus’ day, people saw Him, heard Him, and ate with Him—but very few understood His true identity or mission. Only those who sought Him personally had the truths of the kingdom revealed to them (John 6:66–69).
Jesus Is Calling for Real Discipleship
Jesus is still seeking true disciples—not casual listeners or spiritual consumers. He calls each of us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him wholeheartedly:
“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?’”
—Matthew 16:24–26 (ESV)
If we are not serious about following Christ, then, like the crowds, we will hear His words only as parables—interesting but confusing stories with no personal impact.
Let this be a time of awakening. Let us not remain lukewarm (Revelation 3:15–16). Let us seek Jesus personally, diligently, and with all our hearts. That is how we will receive the true salvation He offers.
Maranatha—The Lord is coming.
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