Tell It Slant

Today's reading: Matthew 12:46-50, 13:1-23

'And he told them many things in parables, saying, "A sower went out to sow."' - Matthew 13:3

In Eugene Peterson's book, "Tell it Slant," which is a book about the parables of Jesus, he builds off of the following quote from Emily Dickinson:

“Tell all the Truth but tell it slant--
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind--”

How do you get an individual to the point of believing/trusting in the name of Jesus? Spiritually, they may have ears that don't hear and eyes that don't see. To them, the Gospel isn't Good News; it is just more noise.

This is the power of the parable. It is a story that is telling us something that we may not have been interested in if it were told directly. The parables aren't meant to confuse us; they are meant to intrigue us into a deeper understanding of who we are and what God intends to do through us.