Jesus told a story to teach about His teaching and how people respond to His teaching. This was a parable about the parable. Jesus explained that not everyone understands the word of God, those who are given an explanation are greatly privileged. Moreover, those who have a heart to perceive its significance and value are the most blessed. There are many who neither understand nor appreciate the truth of God’s word.

Jesus shows us that all who repent and submit themselves under His authority are those who belong to the family of God. All those who truly believe with a repentant heart belong to God and are His children. Jesus Himself tells us so.

Words proceed from that which fills the heart. Jesus shows that men of His day blasphemed the Holy Spirit because evil filled their hearts. May the Lord purify our hearts as we seek Him an learn from Him daily.

Jesus defends the weak. There are two examples of this: Jesus’ defense of His disciples and Jesus’ healing of the sick man in the synagogue. In each situation, Jesus spoke up to rebuke those who were trying to oppress or abuse the weak. Jesus would not put up with those who would crush people like that. He loved the weak and stuck up for them.

There is spiritual rest for all who come to Jesus, under His authority and direction, to learn from Him.

We can bring all our doubts to Jesus. We should hear the word of God with a heart ready to receive it and respond with faith, repentance, and obedience.

We can stand firm for Christ, because we are assured of the Father’s care for us and because we want others to also receive God and the gift of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus gives us help and preparation for the opposition that we will face when we try to lead lost people to Him. The main truth here can be expressed simply as this: never be afraid. Fear God and not man.

Jesus seeks co-laborers to join in His work to reach lost sheep. Jesus’ heart is full of compassion for lost souls. May He give to us the same heart that longs for lost sheep to become shepherded by the great Shepherd of our souls.

Jesus has power over all things. He is the powerful Savior who alone can reverse the curse of sin and usher sinners into the kingdom of heaven. His power also shows He is God. All who trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord are forgiven of their sins and are saved forever.

Jesus came to call sinners. He is the physician who came for the sick, not the healthy. With three stories, Matthew shows us that He helps sinners.

Jesus is powerful over nature and demons. Additionally, in this passage, we learn about the cost of following Christ. May the Lord open our eyes to see Him for the supreme God that He is and stop fearing the things of this world and trust in Him more.

Jesus is the willing healer. Matthew shows us that Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecy that the Savior will heal our diseases. He does this with three examples of healing. Jesus truly has the power to heal. He performed these healings to show us that He is the Savior and that the kingdom of heaven rid of sickness and disease is coming for those who repent and trust in Him.

Jesus shows us there are only two ways to live. We either honestly confess Him as Lord and follow Him, or we pursue our own desires. A true disciple is committed to Christ to live according to His word. Jesus calls us to decide and put our faith into action.

Jesus teaches us to be a wise corrector and helper of others.

Jesus teaches us to have a proper attitude toward wealth. Money and God are in competition with one another in our hearts. Jesus speaks the truth to us to deliver us from the enslavement of the love of money, whether we possess it or not.

Jesus shows us that true righteousness has pure motives. Pure motives are always directed toward God. It always seeks to please Him and not garner men’s praise and recognition.

What is true righteousness? Jesus defines what true righteousness in the sight of God is. God’s standard of righteousness is deeply internal. He wants a heart righteousness and this is what Jesus teaches us.

What is a disciple? What is it that Jesus promises to make His followers into? What is a fisher of men (4:19)? Jesus shows us that a disciple is humbled, transformed, different, and obedient people.

There is no better person to follow than Jesus Christ. He calls all to follow Him with the promise that He will make us something we are not in and of ourselves, to become like Him, fishers of men, who can disciple others to be like Him also.