Get It?

Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’” [Mark 4.10-12]

Today's OYCB reading is full of great stuff. I can't comment on all of it, but I can comment on the passage above.

I want to focus on a couple of things here today: 

"When they see what I do..."

And,

"When they hear what I say..."

In both these statements, Jesus declares that outsiders simply won't 'get it.' They will not comprehend - they will not understand.

Here is what I wish to highlight today: the resultant condition of those who do not 'get it' is unforgiveness. They are not forgiven. The reason they are not forgiven is because they do not "turn to me" (in Jesus words). In other words, they do not repent.

This further supports what I believe was made clear to me yesterday in my post "The Proper Response To A Miracle." The proper response to Jesus' works (miracles) and teachings is REPENTANCE!

Here is the catch though... outsiders' repentance hinges upon their 'getting it' and their 'getting it' depends upon our explanation of it just like Jesus explained it to His faithful few!

This is amazing information!

Father, thank You for revealing Your desire for us to repent and to urge others to do likewise! I know You desire that we 'get it.' I know our 'getting it' is evidenced in our repentance! I know then, when we repent, we are forgiven!