HIDDEN THINGS

Jesus tells us in Matthew’s gospel, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” The hidden things that come to us in parables are sometimes as difficult to interpret and understand as they were for his original disciples. But the way of a parable is to make personal application and that will differ from one to the next. The hidden thing for me may not be the hidden thing for you.

Later in John’s gospel Jesus says, “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father.” The parable will always reveal hidden things, but the ‘figures of speech’ or figurative language, is a promise that the Father and the ways of Father’s Kingdom will be plain to us because we have been given the Holy Spirit. We now have revelation by the Spirit to understand the hidden things. The disciples of Jesus answer him in this section of John’s gospel by saying. “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answers them, “Do you now believe?”

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus