{"id":43991,"date":"2021-03-01T14:29:39","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T11:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=43991"},"modified":"2025-05-03T23:52:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T20:52:07","slug":"to-those-on-the-outside-everything-is-spoken-in-parablesmark-411-12-esv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/03\/01\/to-those-on-the-outside-everything-is-spoken-in-parablesmark-411-12-esv\/","title":{"rendered":"TO THOSE ON THE OUTSIDE, EVERYTHING IS SPOKEN IN PARABLES(Mark 4:11\u201312, ESV)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

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).<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201314).<\/p>\n

Jesus Didn\u2019t Reveal Truths to Everyone Equally<\/h3>\n

Unlike what many assume today, Jesus wasn\u2019t impressed by crowds. A large number of people followed Him wherever He went\u2014some seeking healing, others out of curiosity, and some for miracles. But Jesus didn\u2019t equate popularity with genuine discipleship. He didn\u2019t reveal the deep truths of God\u2019s kingdom to just anyone in the crowd.<\/p>\n

Instead, He often taught in parables<\/strong>\u2014simple stories that contained deeper spiritual meaning. These weren\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cAnd when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parables. And He said to them, \u2018To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that \u201c\u2018they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\u2014Mark 4:10\u201312 (ESV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jesus quoted from Isaiah 6:9\u201310 to show that many people’s hearts were hardened\u2014they could hear His words but remain blind to their true meaning because they lacked repentance.<\/p>\n

Salvation Requires a Sincere Heart<\/h3>\n

Jesus doesn\u2019t just save people who listen; He saves those who earnestly seek Him<\/strong> and truly want to understand and obey Him.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cYou will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.\u201d<\/em>
\u2014Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is why Jesus often spoke indirectly. His goal was not just to inform but to transform<\/strong>\u2014and 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\u201311).<\/p>\n

Many Followed Jesus for the Wrong Reasons<\/h3>\n

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<\/strong> and receive the truth that leads to eternal life<\/strong> (John 17:3).<\/p>\n

Today, the same problem exists. Churches are full, and many claim to seek God. But unless a person is personally committed to following Jesus\u2014learning from Him, obeying His Word, and surrendering their life\u2014salvation will remain a concept, not a reality.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cNot everyone who says to me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.\u201d<\/em>
\u2014Matthew 7:21 (ESV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Why Salvation Feels Powerless for Some People<\/h3>\n

Some people claim to be saved but continue to live in bondage to sin\u2014sexual immorality, drunkenness, pride, and ignorance of God’s will. They may have attended church for years but still don\u2019t know God\u2019s redemptive plan, such as the Rapture<\/strong>, or even recognize that we are living in the final church age\u2014the church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14\u201322).<\/p>\n

They might say, \u201cI know Jesus,\u201d but the evidence is missing from their lives. Even in Jesus\u2019 day, people saw Him, heard Him, and ate with Him\u2014but 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\u201369).<\/p>\n

Jesus Is Calling for Real Discipleship<\/h3>\n

Jesus is still seeking true disciples<\/strong>\u2014not casual listeners or spiritual consumers. He calls each of us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him wholeheartedly:<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThen Jesus told His disciples, \u2018If 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?\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\u2014Matthew 16:24\u201326 (ESV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If we are not serious about following Christ, then, like the crowds, we will hear His words only as parables<\/em>\u2014interesting but confusing stories with no personal impact.<\/p>\n

Let this be a time of awakening. Let us not remain lukewarm (Revelation 3:15\u201316). Let us seek Jesus personally, diligently, and with all our hearts. That is how we will receive the true salvation<\/strong> He offers.<\/p>\n

Maranatha\u2014The Lord is coming.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Please share this message with others.<\/strong>
For prayer, fellowship, or spiritual counseling, contact:
\ud83d\udcde +255693036618 or +255789001312<\/p>\n

\n

Would you like this formatted into a printable or shareable document?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n