Jesus Explains All

As the Light of the World, Jesus did not come to the earth to leave mankind in darkness.  In a parable Jesus told, He asserted no one brought a burning lamp into a room to hide it under a basket or bed.  The whole point of bringing a lamp or candle in the room was to place it where the light would shine and be seen.  Like one who brought a light into a room to illuminate, Jesus taught using parables to reveal truth to those who followed Him as it says in Mark 4:33-34:  "And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. ³⁴ But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples."  Unbelievers only heard Jesus tell a story, yet through parables disciples of Jesus had God's word revealed to them as Jesus expounded His word.

This intention of God to reveal Himself and His righteous ways to mankind did not begin with the coming of Jesus Christ.  Though fellowship with God was broken by sin by Adam's rebellion, God continued to reveal Himself to those who trusted Him.  God did not remain silent when people cried out to Him, for He spoke to Noah and directed him to build an ark so animals and whosoever would heed His warnings could be saved from the coming flood.  Consider what God said in Genesis 18:17-19:  "And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, ¹⁸ since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? ¹⁹ For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."  God freely told Abraham what He planned to do because all nations would be blessed in him.  God knew he would take his word to heart and command his children to walk in God's ways.

One might imagine a personal relationship with God was only for the patriarchs or prophets in the Bible, but the Bible says otherwise.  The amazing opportunity to have a relationship with God has been granted by Jesus Christ to Jew and Gentile alike as Jesus said to His followers in John 14:21:  "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."  Jesus went on to say in John 16:12-14:  "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."  God will manifest Himself to those who love Him, and the Holy Spirit will speak and tell us things to come.

One important observation concerning Jesus expounding the word of God to His disciples:  notice He did not do so for the multitude but when they were alone with Him.  The multitudes were agreeable to meet a famous prophet, to be healed of diseases, to be fed and hear interesting stories--and then return to their homes and go about their lives.  Those who trusted in Jesus Christ, believing He was the Son of God, were spiritually hungry and thirsty to know more.  When they were alone, Jesus answered questions and explained parables they did not understand.  Jesus met with sad disciples who walked the road to Emmaus, and their hearts burned within them as Jesus expounded to them all Scriptures that spoke of Him.  Those who love Jesus and treasure God's word are those God delights to reveal Himself and His wisdom to us freely, knowing we will keep His ways and share His word with others.  Many people go to church and hear sermons and cannot say they heard God speak, yet to those who seek the LORD alone He even has more to say.