“This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’”
- Matthew 13:13-15 -

At this pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus we find him sitting in a boat at the end of a full day of teaching, telling a story to the crowds on the shore. Each of the synoptic Gospel accounts records this as the first parable spoken by Jesus – Matthew includes it as the first in a rapid series of seven.

While many commentators refer to the parables as simple illustrations, there is consistently a greater depth than an initial glance reveals. Indeed, in quoting Isaiah after his first parable, Jesus is implying a deeper significance regarding the seed in the story. Reading on in Isaiah 6, the prophet alludes to the holy seed being the sole remaining stump in the land when others have been cut down. Could the first parable Jesus told be more than just an illustration of how hearers respond to the gospel? Could it be a pronouncement that the seed spoken of by the ancient prophet is – astonishingly – in their midst?

Prayer: Father God, help me to be open to change and to recognize the work of the Spirit when it takes place outside the traditions and patterns I’m comfortable with.

(From Encounter with God)