Morning Devotional

December 29, 2003

"The Puzzles of Jesus" 

by Don Emmitte

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His disciples came and asked him, "Why do you always tell stories when you talk to the people?” Then he explained to them, "You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them. That is why I tell these stories, because people see what I do, but they don't really see. They hear what I say, but they don't really hear, and they don't understand. (Matthew 13:10-13 NLT). 

Here’s a little riddle for you: 

Follow as I go from Adam unto death.
Follow, for I am descending from life eternal.
Cross me if you like. I don't get angry, I will not hold a grudge.
If need be, I can feed you. If you like I'll give you drink.
But where I end is a place of death. 

The answer is at the end of this writing. Don’t go there too soon though! I love a good puzzle! It is not often that I get the time to work on the crosswords in the local paper, but when I do, it is always enjoyable. There are times when I get stuck and can’t quite solve the clue. There are even a few times when I give up in frustration and leave the puzzle unfinished. Even then there is nothing lost. However, the “puzzles” Jesus used in His teachings carried with them messages that were essential to the understanding of grace. Our reading this morning answers the question why Jesus used such puzzles. 

The more I began to think about the parables (puzzles), the more I began to realize that the answers are not difficult to find. Just as with my crosswords, the answers are not difficult. There are many sources available to retrieve the answers. All I need to do is seek them! Jesus tells his disciples that all that is necessary is to listen.  

The New Year is approaching quickly. It is a time of renewal and recommitment. I wonder if you have been listening. Perhaps some of the answers you seek to the puzzles of your life would become apparent if you would start listening more. You may need a little help with that exercise. Start with a search in the Scriptures. Then go to some of your trusted Christian friends and advisors and ask them for help. It may mean putting your pride behind you, but the answer will be well worth the sacrifice! 

Oh… as I promised, here’s the answer to the riddle I began with this morning: the Jordan River. Jordan means "descender." It flows from Galilee, which translates circle in Hebrew, or everlasting life, to the Dead Sea. The city of Adam is located on the Jordan River.