Sexagesima (B C P). Series

4. Finally, there are those who hear and understand, and trust and obey (Luke 8:8; Luke 8:15).

How do I know that they trust? Because they bring forth fruit in their lives (cf. John 15:16). A fruitless life is a rootless life: ‘faith without works is dead’ (cf. James 2:17).

“What might this parable be?” asked Jesus’ disciples (Luke 8:9). Jesus’ answer is surely a surprise: “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand” (Luke 8:10). It is a gift, “given to you” (disciples), but not given to the others.

Now Jesus makes it perfectly clear that the natural man is totally incapable of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom thus revealed. He speaks to them in parables “BECAUSE seeing they see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand” (Luke 8:10).

So Christianity is not a matter of laying hold upon some wonderful teaching, and following it as best we can. Nor is it about our striving to imitate Jesus - as if we could ever do that in our own strength. Christianity is about the unfolding of a mystery (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:7) - not to the knowledgeable, but to those to whom “it is given” (Luke 8:10), otherwise described as “they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).

And when He had said these things, He cried, “He that hat ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 8:8).

Amen.