UNDERSTANDING
"Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them." John 10.6
He was talking to them about sheep, and shepherds and truth; that He was the 'gate.' He said "I am the gate...and....I am the good shepherd." He taught them in terms with which they were very familiar, and with words and concepts they could easily understand-but they did not understand! Do we have this problem? He talked of grapes, and vines, fruit trees and things familiar to them, but they did not understand. Why not!?
In Mark 6.52 it says, "For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened." Later in Mark 8.17 Jesus said, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?"
What can we learn from this?
Lack of understanding is not a good thing-it reflects a very bad thing! It is the inevitable product of a heart hardened by unbelief, by rejection of God's truth-actually rejection of God Himself because Jesus said I am "the Truth."
John 10.40 ..Jesus said to Martha at the tomb of Lazarus: "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God." Is that a clue to the darkness of 'not understanding?' "Believe, and you will see.
bh April 19,2008
Web: www.bertsgoodstuff.com