Nicodemus is an example of one who looks at the words of the Lord and
sees not that he is speaking in allegorical terms
or as the Bible calls it, a parable.
And this use of what also might be called metaphor
Or imagery is employed by the Lord more often than we might realize.
But without a parable spake he not unto them....
Mark 4.34
Why does he do this?
Well, the answer to that might well engender more mystery
than it provides answers.
Jesus explains the use of this mysterious communication::
That seeing they may see, and not perceive;
and hearing they may hear, and not understand;
lest at any time they should be converted,
and their sins should be forgiven them.
Mark 4.12
One of the things the serious student needs to be converted from here,
is that tendency to rely on their own natural mind.
We are admonished to do otherwise.
....lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3.5
When the prophet John spoke of Jesus,
foretelling the one who would come, he describes
a spiritual mindset that was supernal.
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD:
and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
Isaiah 11.3
Nicodemus was looking at the bare seed of what Jesus said
and not able to realize that truth relating
to what was hidden and spiritual-
like that life potential lying hidden and dormant
within every seed and that is not available
for proper inspeection to natural eyes and ears.
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened,
except it die:
1 Corinthians 15.36
How shallow was this teacher of Israel!
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not,
how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John 3.12
And yet with this truth so evidently before us we live in day
of similar shallowness where most of the so called 'teachers'
bring forth their exegesis that is based upon a Nicodemus like appreciation of the word.
Seeing they see but do not perceive,
hearing they hear but do not understand.
You see, it is not in a man to rightly divide
the word of truth with his own understanding.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture
is of any private interpretation.
2 Peter 1.20
In regards to the mysteries of the kingdom,
Jesus said that no man could receive
the great and wonderful truths in a way
that was with intended life transforming power
unless it were given to him from above.
John answered and said,
A man can receive nothing,
except it be given him from heaven.
John 3.27
The Apostle exhorts, "know this first!"( 2 Peter 1.20)
And yet we seem to know this not at all in this age.
A true interpretation of the Bible is possible only by the Holy Ghost.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself;
but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come.
John 16.13
Jesus talked about being born again.
That got mucked up by Nicodemus.
He talks about carrying a cross daily
and yet you don't see most churches handing out lumber.
He said. ‘eat my flesh and drink my blood’
and yet most would gag at a cup of real blood.
The woman at the well asked for a drink of water
but Jesus replied that he wasn't talking about literal water.
And he talked about raising a temple up in three days
but it wasn't the temple in Jerusalem
that he was speaking about.
Paul said we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.
This is most often with parable.
How can we have all these examples of fundamental spiritual truth
conveyed with this use of imagery
and then claim that God means for us to interpret the Bible literally?
It cannot be done consistently by any man
no matter what they might say.
There is just too much use of parable and imagery throughout the Holy Writ.
Now am I saying that none of the Bible is to be taken literally, absolutely not.
Jesus was literally born of a virgin.
And he really rose from the dead.
There is that which is quite literal.
And there is that which is both literal
and a parable of something hidden.
As well, there is that which is clearly
only to be understood metaphorically.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him;
if he thirst, give him drink:
for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Romans 12.20
You're not going to see coals of fire
heaped on people heads in actuality
and yet the Apostle's truth is still valid.
And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
Matthew 15.16
Trust me here, you aren't going to see fire
coming out of two prophets mouths either.
So what is it referring to by way of parable?
Hear now this, O foolish people,
and without understanding;
which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not...
Jeremiah 5.21
NO, but there are some places that have good doctrine and good understanding.
That happens in places where ministers listen to the Spirit.
They do not run ahead as many to have all the answers
but they wait on the Lord for his
interpretation and the instruction of the Spirit.
Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 2.13
