Luke 8:9-10 (ESV)
9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’
I love having friends who can tell a good story. It’s for sure one of the many things I’ve enjoyed about my relationship with Pastor Brett. He is one of the best and most entertaining story tellers I’ve ever met. Ask any person on our staff and I assure you they’ll have a favorite “Pastor Brett story.” For me, it’s hard to pick a favorite. With 22+ years of friendship, I’ve easily heard him tell hundreds if not thousands of stories. And while it’s hard to choose just one, I would encourage you to ask him about the time Pastor Nate scared him in the basement of our old building. I promise, it will be well worth your time.
Whatever the story, what makes P. Brett such a master at his craft is how his stories are so often prompted within the flow of conversation. While on a topic he’ll often say, “O’ man, that reminds me of the time” (enter entertaining story here). And somehow or another, his story will always contribute to the topic we were talking about and/or clarify the point he was making. I guess in this respect, you could say his stories are “parabolic.” Which leads me to the point of this Pastor’s Note.
This Sunday we launch a new series called, ‘Kingdom Code’. For the next ten weeks, we’ll be studying the parables of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. The word parable comes from the Greek word parabollo, which means to come alongside. Thus, a parable is a story told to come alongside and clarify a point being made. And so, knowing parables are meant to clarify and knowing Jesus is the greatest teacher to ever teach, have you ever wondered why parables are often so difficult to understand? If so, you’ll be glad to know the answer to that exact question is found in this week’s parable found in Luke 8:4-15. As you read through the passage, pay special attention to the reason Jesus gives for teaching in parables. Indeed, each parable reveals a core spiritual teaching that is clear to some but concealed to others… let’s call it a ‘Kingdom Code’.
Love you, church!
Pastor Jerry
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