Luke 7:36-50; Matthew 12:22-50; Mark 3:20-35; Luke 11:14-36; Luke 8:19-21; Matthew 13:1-52; Mark 4; Luke 8:1-18; Luke 13:18-21; Matthew 8:23-34; Mark 4:35-5:20

Demon possessions. Beelzebub. There is so much teaching and action in the spiritual realm during Jesus’ ministry. Satan has stirred up a hornet’s nest and Jesus is left to clean up the mess. It should have been obvious that evil in the spiritual realm was allied against Jesus, but the folks who should have welcomed Him because they knew the scriptures foretelling Him accused Him of playing for the other team.

What they had done was to personally witness the mighty hand of Yahweh Elohim Shaddai in the person of Jesus of Nazareth and then attribute these works of the Spirit of God to Satan. To me it’s unimaginable. Jesus called this unpardonable.

Such was the battle Jesus fought in Judea, Galilee and Nazareth. Such is the battle He fights to this very day. At this crucial point in His ministry, Jesus began to wage war for the hearts of people with parables. Like He explained, some folks just aren’t going to listen, but those willing to listen with a spiritual ear will receive spiritual sight.

In the parable of the four soils, only one was of sufficient spiritual richness to bring forth a bountiful spiritual harvest.

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Matthew 13:19-23

The good news is not a mystery to be hidden, but a mystery revealed. Parables are for those who seek the mystery of God revealed in Christ. Jesus veiled the truth so the discerning could see while the stubborn were blinded.  He knew that people must be willing to accept truth before they are willing to act upon it. Our creator knew that truth requires a heart and spirit that is willing for faith to overcome beliefs. In many Jesus finds hearts far too willing to keep their beliefs rather than be forgiven by God.

In the war for the soul, Jesus speaks the same truth to all, but not everyone hears the same thing. Some hear not at all. Others hear, but soon get distracted by life. Still others hear but die when trouble comes. Notice the good soil is one who “hears” and “understands”. This is a co-mingling of the human mind with the mind of God. Not merely allowing the ear to function as designed, but allowing the mind to ponder, examine, meditate and accept divine truth and act upon it.

Salvation comes from seeing things God’s way to the extent our life is changed. Each parable speaks to one or more facets of life that must be brought under the Lordship of Jesus the Christ. Taken together, the parables train spiritual people the see life with spiritual eyes. In other words, to see there is a war for the spirit. It is a war that you cannot win alone, but you can lose it alone.

For Satan, a victorious battlefield is a hard human heart, a distracted believer or a discouraged believer who wilts under the pressure. On the other hand, a changed life is a victorious battlefield for our Warrior King.

Consider His nature.  Consider His ways.  Strive to love Him more!