John 3:3
From the time I first read this scripture
there were two things that stood out to me. Jesus says that “no one can see”
the Kingdom and then he says “no one may enter” the Kingdom…unless he is “born
again.” Obviously both of these statements are true. Once again to be born
again is a prerequisite for both.
We know that we must be born again
according to John 3:3-18 and according to John 14:6 Jesus is “the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” I always
like to say “The truth is that Jesus is the only way to life.” So, the only way
we can “enter” the Kingdom of God is through believing in Jesus Christ as the
only Son of the Father. However, to “see” the Kingdom of God is a little more involved. The word “see” really has three dimensions or levels; the first of which is Knowledge - which equals Information. The second is Understanding - which equals Comprehension. The third level is Wisdom - which equals Application.
Here is how this works in a classroom or study situation; whether it is reading a book – such as the Bible – or hearing a sermon or teaching; everyone will come away with some information or knowledge. Some will come away with under-standing or comprehension of what was read or taught. But only a few; like those who really are seeking, and those who honestly want to know and understand; only a few will actually gain wisdom through application.
The born again scripture is a perfect example of this. When the gospel is read or preached or taught, some come away with information; some come away with an understanding, but it doesn’t change anything; and a few come away with new life because they accept and apply the Gospel to their lives and are forever changed!
Let me take this a step further; People who only have knowledge or information are forever “frustrated.” Why? Because frustration equals no understanding of the knowledge they have or how to apply it!
In Luke 8:9-10 it says “His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.”
Also in Mark 4:10-12 – “When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!”
The multitudes did not want understanding; they wanted knowledge that does not cost anything. “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Other-wise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:14-15)
The Parables of the hidden treasure and the Pearl of great value in Matthew 13:44-46 tell us in each case the person sold everything they had in order to gain the treasure and the pearl because the Kingdom of God is “one thing” of great value that contains everything we need.
As we will find out, Kingdom keys or principles are for understanding and making wise decisions concerning all areas of life. Are you ready to “see” the Bible as never before? Look with “kingdom” eyes!
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