Clarity

Clarity (by David Peterson)

Jesus begins to teach a large crowd from a boat near the shore on the Sea of Galilee. He tells several parables and He eventually ends with the one about the mustard seed. Then, in Mark 4:33-34 it is written: “And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, so far as they were able to understand it and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples.”

Jesus used parables to teach but they were sometimes difficult to fully comprehend by most of the people who were present. However, Jesus provided complete clarity to His disciples so they fully understood the lessons to His parables.

Pastor John MacArthur once wrote: “Scripture, because of its absolute clarity, brings understanding where there is ignorance, order where there is confusion, and light where there is spiritual and moral darkness. It stands in stark contrast to the muddled musings of unredeemed men, who themselves are blind and unable to discern truth or live righteously. God’s Word clearly reveals the blessed, hopeful truth they can never see.”

The clarity Jesus brought to his own teachings for the disciples enabled them to receive the insights that He intended.

“Open My Eyes that I May See” is a memorable hymn, written in 1895 by Clara H. Scott. This hymn is a plea for clarity that asks for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a mouth to bear warm truth. The last stanza reads:

Open my mouth, and let me bear

gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare

love with thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for thee,

ready, my God, thy will to see.

Open my heart, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

Let us pray: Sweet Jesus, clarity is what you provide when you discuss with us the truth of the word. Your insights direct us as we discern your word and live our lives in respect to you!