Have You Understood All These Things?
Matthew 13:51-52 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” 52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” I like how the Wuest Translation says it: Have you understood all these things? They say to Him, Yes. And He said to them, Because of this, every man learned in the sacred scriptures who has accepted the precepts and instructions with reference to the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a master of a house, who is of such a character that he dispenses with hearty enjoyment out of his treasure-house, things new as to quality and also things mellowed with age by reason of use.
Do you remember being a kid and your parents saying, "Do you understand me?" This was usually asked when you didn't do something that you were told to do, right? The reason they asked this question is because a certain task or duty was not performed. In essence, what they were asking was, "If you understood me, then why did you not do what I asked you to do?"
Jesus asked His disciples, "Have you understood all these things?" Their response was, yes Lord. I believe that the Lord is asking us today this same question. Therefore let's briefly look at what it means "to understand." The dictionary defines it as to perceive the meaning of a thing. Yet for the purposes of our spiritual growth, we are going to dig a little deeper.
Understand is made up of two words, under and stand. Under means, subject or in submission to. Stand means position or viewpoint. Put together, understand means to be subject or submitted to the position or viewpoint of another.
Jesus was asking His disciples, and He is asking us today, "Have you submitted yourself to my viewpoint on the Kingdom of Heaven?" As theirs was, our response should be, "Yes, Lord." With that response comes a responsibility to a correct corresponding action. When we tell the Lord that we have submitted to things the way that He sees it, then we should glorify Him by submitting to things in our everyday lives as He sees them.
Therefore, this year as we endeavor to understand the Kingdom of heaven, let us show by our works and live this verse. Let's purpose to let our Kingdom character dispense with hearty enjoyment, things old and new to draw people to Him.
Do you remember being a kid and your parents saying, "Do you understand me?" This was usually asked when you didn't do something that you were told to do, right? The reason they asked this question is because a certain task or duty was not performed. In essence, what they were asking was, "If you understood me, then why did you not do what I asked you to do?"
Jesus asked His disciples, "Have you understood all these things?" Their response was, yes Lord. I believe that the Lord is asking us today this same question. Therefore let's briefly look at what it means "to understand." The dictionary defines it as to perceive the meaning of a thing. Yet for the purposes of our spiritual growth, we are going to dig a little deeper.
Understand is made up of two words, under and stand. Under means, subject or in submission to. Stand means position or viewpoint. Put together, understand means to be subject or submitted to the position or viewpoint of another.
Jesus was asking His disciples, and He is asking us today, "Have you submitted yourself to my viewpoint on the Kingdom of Heaven?" As theirs was, our response should be, "Yes, Lord." With that response comes a responsibility to a correct corresponding action. When we tell the Lord that we have submitted to things the way that He sees it, then we should glorify Him by submitting to things in our everyday lives as He sees them.
Therefore, this year as we endeavor to understand the Kingdom of heaven, let us show by our works and live this verse. Let's purpose to let our Kingdom character dispense with hearty enjoyment, things old and new to draw people to Him.
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