Slow to Learn

His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.
– Luke 8:9

Most of us have been in situations where we wanted to act like we knew what was going on, but didn’t. You smile and give an understanding nod, all while thinking, “I don’t know what that person is talking about.” One period of life when I was in a sea of that confusion was when I took calculus in college. For the most part I did fairly well in math classes, but after about a week in calculus I knew I was in trouble. What made it worse was looking around at my classmates and seeing looks of understanding on their faces. Maybe they were all faking it, but it sure made me want to smile and give the understanding nod so I might not appear to be an outlier. No doubt, the math train had left the station and was picking up steam while I was left standing on the platform watching in bewilderment.

It is possible that the disciples of Jesus had moments like that. Picture them standing near Jesus while he is teaching crowds of people. He is saying amazing things. People are hanging on his words. The crowd knows that you are one of his disciples, so what expression do you wear when you don’t understand what he is teaching? Admit it. There is a good chance you hide that lack of understanding beneath a relaxed smile, like Jesus is just reviewing a lesson you have already mastered.

I wonder if that was the case in the narrative of Luke 8. We are told that Jesus is addressing a large crowd. People from various towns have come to hear him teach. As one of his disciples you are there with him, positioned somewhere in close proximity while he is teaching. Jesus shares a lesson that has become quite familiar in the life of the Church. We usually call it the Parable of the Sower. Most modern church-goers know how it goes. A sower went out to sow. Some seed fell here, some fell there. Some seed got stolen, some got choked out, some started well and faded quickly, and some bore much fruit. It is so familiar to us, largely because we have the benefit of Jesus’ explanation for clarity (Luke 8:11-15). However, the immediate problem for the Twelve is that they had never heard the parable before, and they weren’t picking up on the meaning. So what do they do? Simple. They put on their poker faces until they have a chance to speak with Jesus privately.

In fairness to the Twelve and as encouragement to us, lack of understanding is okay. Don’t get me wrong. At some point Jesus expects us to grasp things. This is part of maturing spiritually. But Jesus also knows that maturity is a process that takes work and time. The disciples did exactly what I should have done in calculus class: they asked for help. (As a side note, I must have asked for help at some point, given that I did actually pass the class.) Sure, they may not have wanted to ask in front of the large crowd, but they did ask when they had the chance. To not ask for help is to let our pride keep us in ignorance. Humility allows Jesus to impart the insight we need to be better representatives of the Kingdom. Kudos to the disciples for asking.

In your own journey of following Jesus, don’t be surprised or alarmed if you feel like you aren’t “getting it.” Trust me, you are in good company. In the ensuing months the disciples would continue to display their incomplete grasp of Jesus and his ways. If you need examples, consider these paraphrased quotes by Jesus:

• Peter, you’re tripping me up with that human thinking; get with God’s plan! (Matthew 16:23)
• Do you see yourselves, arguing about which one is the greatest? Look at this child. Be like this child. It is the least among you who is the greatest. (Luke 9:48)
• Philip, have you not learned from all our time together? You ask me to reveal the Heavenly Father to you, but that is exactly what I’ve been doing all along. (John 14:9)

There are other examples, but you get the idea. You may be new to following Jesus and feel like a sponge trying to soak up large buckets of insight. Or maybe you have been a Christian for many years, and thus feel more timid about aspects of the faith that are still unclear. Perhaps the worst possible scenario would be to think we have nothing left to learn from Jesus. In those cases, we are poised to embarrass ourselves when our lack of understanding goes on display. In any case, remember that Jesus loves to teach us, regardless of where we are in the journey.

See you along the winding path.