The Righteous Key

With the current study of the Gospel of Luke at Calvary Chapel Sydney, I have been reminded of the importance to refrain from "spiritualising" scripture and especially parables.  This happens when we move away from the plain meaning of the text to create an allegory.  Spiritualising makes scriptural interpretation bow to arbitrary keys inserted to supposedly unlock hidden truth.  Try to use the incorrect key on a security door on a house and you will be denied entry, but using the incorrect key to allegedly unlock a parable has led to misinterpretation and wrong application.  I am not suggesting there is only one correct interpretation or application of a particular passage:  my intent is to warn against the error of spiritualising parables, a practise that is more common than one may think.

We are blessed many parables include an explanation from Jesus Himself.  The Parable of the Sower is one of the most famous as it is referenced in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  Without the explanation of Jesus we would be left to guess what the seed, birds, and different soils represent.  In Mark 4 Jesus provided keys to understand the significance of these aspects:  the seed is the word of God, the birds that ate seed on the footpath is the devil who steals the Word away, and the shallow, weed stricken, and good soils represent the conditions of the hearts of hearers to receive the word and be fruitful.  Because a key works on one lock it does not necessary fit another.  For instance, not every time seed is referenced in a parable it is God's Word, nor does it mean birds in parables always allude to satanic influence.

Proof of this is seen in Matthew 13.  Directly after the Parable of the Sower Jesus taught using the Parable of the Wheat and Tares and explained it.  In this parable a man sowed good seed in his field yet during the night an enemy came and sabotaged his efforts by planting tares--a weed that has no nutritional value and to the undiscerning eye looks like wheat.  While the explanation of the sower remains the same, the seed in this parable means something different than before.  In response to the request of His disciples Matthew 13:37-39 tells us, "He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. ³⁹ The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels."  In this parable the good seeds are the "sons of the kingdom."  If we assume the seed was God's word we would misinterpret what Jesus said.  The logic follows we would be wrong to assume every time birds were referenced in a parable they allude to Satan.  We must take great care not to assume or suppose because when we do--not being God and His ways being higher than ours--we can be wrong.  And in the case of those who teach, we can lead others astray.

Parables are examples from the natural world used to teach spiritual truth to those who hear believing, and the same conceals truth from unbelievers.  Each parable stands on its own merit and the explanation of Jesus--coupled with the context--aids us in rightly interpreting and understanding them.  It is true that some parables are not explained by Jesus and thankfully we are not without the context or the ability to cross-reference passages to see what circumstances prompted a parable, who Jesus was speaking to, or why He said what He did like in Luke 18:9:  "Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others..."  Through the entire testimony of scripture with the aid of the Holy Spirit there can be a variety of correct interpretations and great latitude for personal application.  Jesus is able to open our understanding to comprehend the scriptures (Luke 24:45), and may we learn to rightly divide them for His glory.  LORD, teach us to prepare our hearts to receive your Word that we might be fruitful.

Walking With God

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Micah 6:8

The context of the Micah passage is the controversy God had with His chosen people.  He had birthed the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt with miraculous deliverance, revealed Himself to them, provided His Law, and brought them into the land of promise.  Not a word failed of His good promise to them, yet they failed to keep His covenant.  They sinned more than the nations He displaced out of Canaan and He judged them with the curses written in the Law of Moses.

Micah, a God-fearing prophet, wondered what needed to be done for the nation to be restored, to show contrition for sin, and to take steps to revival.  The prophet asked God rhetorically in Micah 6:6-7:  "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? ⁷ Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"  Micah realised all the sacrifices a man could offer was not suitable to cover the greatness of their sin and transgression.  Even if they were to go beyond the Law and offer their beloved children as burnt offerings it would in no way wash them of their guilt.  So what did they need to do?

Then God spoke.  They did not need a new revelation from heaven, for God had already shown them what is good and what God requires of His people:  to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.  The LORD's answer reminds me of David's words in Psalm 51:16-17:  "For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. ¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart--these, O God, You will not despise."  God looks upon the heart, and praise the LORD we are given new hearts through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  There is nothing we can do to earn God's favour, no sacrifice possible to wash ourselves from guilt and shame.  He has provided His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for sin and has given us an example of justice, love of mercy, and humility in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ gave His disciples a new commandment, that they should love one another as He loved them.  By faith in God we can extend love, grace, and mercy that trumps our natural abilities.  His love is patient and kind, does not envy, boast, or keep record of wrongs.  This divine love bears all things, even endures the pain of betrayal, and seeks restoration of relationship.  To walk humbly with Jesus is to walk in the wisdom James spoke of in James 3:17 that is in stark contrast to the wisdom of this age, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."  Jesus has shown us how to live, and by the power of the Holy Spirit He empowers us to do so.  As we walk with Jesus by grace through faith, He always leads us in righteousness.

Pleasure in Prosperity

We humans have a thing about convenience.  If we can find machines and devices to makes life easier, we are all for it.  There was a time when people needed to stand up and turn on the television manually and adjust an antenna for the best reception.  Then came cable TV and remote controls.  We can push a button and recline our seat with minimal effort while experiencing surround sound.  VHS (video home system) tapes gave way to DVDs that do not need to be rewound with superior audio and clarity.  Our penchant for convenience spills over into work and jobs we need to do.  We often have the luxury of waiting for a convenient time because our lives do not depend on it.

This same tendency to make plans based upon what is convenient was observed by king Solomon.  He recognised a desire for convenience and minimal risk actually hindered necessary work from being done.  He wrote in Ecclesiastes 11:4-6:  "He who observes the wind will not sow,and he who regards the clouds will not reap. ⁵ As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. ⁶ In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good."  One farmer may work rain or shine, but another might not sow because of the chance of rain.  To prevent potentially being soaked to the skin (if it did actually rain) the farmer puts off work he needs to do for a harvest.

Solomon explained that there are things we can predict but there are also many things we cannot know or fully understand.  We don't know where the wind comes from nor how the bones of a baby develop in the womb of a pregnant woman.  God's works and ways are also unknown to us, though we see the result of His work all around and within us as His people.  Solomon's advice is to do the job God has given to us without making excuses.  The weather might be threatening on a particular morning, but it could start sunny and suddenly start raining as well.  If we are governed by what is convenient or how we feel, the important task may never begin.  If we are paralysed by fear or failure, getting wet, and wasting our efforts, we are wasting valuable time and opportunity God has given us today.

So do not withhold your hand, Christian!  If we hold back from service to God because it isn't convenient or out of fear our labour will be in vain we will miss the chance of a great harvest.  Better to take a risk of sowing on an overcast morning than leaving the seed in the bag because seed in the bag never grows:  it rots and is ruined.  When we are about God's business, whatever the weather, He will cause our efforts to be fruitful according to the riches of His grace.  Even when the rain is pouring down and outside work is impossible Psalm 35:27 rings true:  "Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."  Praise Him who makes us to prosper!

Instruction and Inspiration

How important context is in helping us understand what is being said.  Have you ever come into a conversation "at the wrong time" and what was being discussed by others was bizarre, strange, and required an immediate explanation to keep from walking away?  Having the reason for a topic explained to us clarifies misunderstandings and brings us up to speed with why what was said is appropriate and reasonable.  This situation can be amusing in a friendly conversation, but it can have serious consequences if we approach passages of scripture in similar fashion.  Jumping from book from book, chapter to chapter, and verse to verse means statements used to prop up an interpretation have meaning beyond face value.

A very useful book titled Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy B. Zuck is a terrific resource to help readers of scripture to accurately interpret it.  I am convinced the best meals are cooked from scratch using fresh ingredients, and reliance upon Bible commentaries instead of learning to study the Bible yourself is like eating frozen dinners with high salt content.  Buying packaged biscuits is the quick and easy option for a snack that will never be as good as something you prepared yourself from scratch.  When it comes to studying the Bible we must be born again so we can be taught by the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.  I am not for a moment suggesting sermons or commentaries have no place in the lives of believers, but it is better to teach a person to study and glean the rich goodness of God's Word for themselves than to train them to put on a bib and wait to be spoon-fed.

When I was young my mother took pains to teach me to bake and cook from scratch.  I started with very simple dishes like scrambling eggs, hot dogs, and instant noodles.  At a point I moved to mixing and cooking pancakes and cookies.  I learned to read recipes, set the temperature of the oven or electric skillet, where the ingredients were stored, how to measure and mix the ingredients together, how to set a timer, and clean up after myself.  My mum started the ball rolling which has continued to this day.  From an early appreciation of baked goods and tasty food I have expanded far beyond my original skill and have tackled dishes I never ate growing up.

I remember watching Martin Yan on the show "Yan Can Cook" on PBS as a kid and was entranced by his cheerful demeanor and the constant affirmation of his unseen viewers:  "When this is nice and done, so beautiful!  See, how easy!  You can do this at home!"  His aim in cooking delectable food was more than eating himself but to invite, instruct, and inspire people to do the same in their own kitchens.  This is what teachers of God's Word ought to do, to provide concrete examples with basic instructions people can learn and run with.  With the Word of God lighting our path and the Holy Spirit guiding us, we will advance in knowledge of God and His truth.  Not everyone may be gifted by the Holy Spirit to teach, but all God's people are called to study, learn, and rightly divide the word of truth.  The truth God teaches us from His word is like a delicious meal He has prepared for us.  It is too much to possibly eat it all by ourselves and are prompted to share joyfully with others.