Fuzziness is the best word I can find to describe the amazing indifference that exists among professing Christians when it comes to the importance of God’s Kingdom reign.  Since “Follow Me” was published in the fall of 1996, I’ve had the opportunity to speak on this topic all over the world.  Wherever I go there is initial enthusiasm for the message. Then a handful of hearers want more, while the majority yawn and turn their attention to some other subject.  As a result, I’ve become even more impressed with the parabolic method Jesus used to sort his hearers.

The seed of this message of the Kingdom will always be received in the ways described by Jesus.  That fact is hard to accept.  A message so beautiful and powerful deserves more.

The prophets apparently had the same experience.  Jesus uses their frustrated commentary to explain this parable to His puzzled followers.  Today we have a fresh way of coming to grips with the human behavior involved.  We all have a strong tendency to hear what we want to hear and see what we expect to see.

Recently I had a conversation with a man from my church family who has listened to me teach the message of the Kingdom for over 10 years.  He came running to talk to me after a Sunday morning service.  “Pastor Jan, I get it,” he said excitedly.  “I’ve always been puzzled about why you think the Kingdom is so important.  Somehow it has been hidden in the mist for me.”

“Did you offer Jesus fresh surrender recently? I asked.  “Yes, how did you know that?  He was startled.  “Your mental filters are just like mine,” I replied.  “As God gets more of our heart territory the Kingdom comes into focus.  The scales on our spiritual eyes fall off.  We see clearly when moments before it was all blurry.”

“So,” he said thoughtfully, “It’s like getting a new pair of glasses, isn’t it?”

Rebellion always obscures the Kingdom of God.  On the other hand, surrender always disperses the mental fog and brings the Kingdom into breathtaking focus.