“…And how do we keep our balance?…Tradition!” I know, I know, more Fiddler On The Roof, but perhaps it kick start you like a doppio espresso this morning. Today’s reading covers the parable of the soil and the explanation of it. Here are some notes:
JM notes that from this point forward, whenever Christ spoke to the masses, he spoke in parables. JM further notes that the reason this was done, according to Luke 8:10, was to shield unbelievers from the truth while making the truth more clear to his disciples. This served a twofold purpose:
Firstly, it was an act of judgment; Christ notes that these people had rejected the truth, i.e. they had seen and heard the truth and decided for whatever reason to not believe it. Secondly, it was an act of mercy; since they had already rejected the light and chosen the darkness, exposing them to more light would only bring them more condemnation since they had no plans to ever accept the light of truth.
It is worth noting that God clearly does not delight in their downfall, for in II Peter 3:9 it states that God is not willing that any should perish. But at the same time God will not force anyone to accept Christ, it is a decision one must come to in their own heart.
