Everything You Need to Know

“Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s House?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Luke 2:49-50)
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?” Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable! How then will you understand any parable?” (Mark 4:11-13)
Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?” (Mark 8:17)
But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. (Mark 9:31)
“Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. (Luke 9:44-45)
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. (Luke 18:34)

This is just a sampling where people were confused by what Jesus was saying. It was generally the disciples who were confused. I sometimes wonder if Jesus kept the disciples around because he could tell them anything and they would believe it, or because they were particularly in need of his wisdom and teaching.

The host of one of the podcasts I listen to frequently finishes up his grand theories with the statement: That tells you everything you need to know.

I frequently end up silently screaming at him, because it never tells me anything I need to know. He lays out a set of “facts,” and somehow I’m supposed to come to the proper conclusion, because he’s told me “everything I need to know.”

But I don’t understand. I don’t have the magical key to his thinking that will help me understand.

The Bible can be like that too. It’s full of “facts,” but unless you have the magical key to understanding, it can remain a mystery. Depending on your faith tradition, your magical key unlocks an understanding that contradicts my understanding, that contradicts someone else’s understanding.

So what are the facts that will tell me everything I need to know?

This led me to Ecclesiastes, chapter 9.

Chapter 9 talks about death being the great equalizer. Our fate isn’t determined by righteousness, death awaits everyone. But life is better than death, and you should enjoy your life fully while you have the opportunity.

Chapter 9 tells us that life is unpredictable and we cannot know what will happen in our lives.

Chapter 9 tells us that wisdom is important though seldom rewarded, but those who shout will be heard.

Enjoy life. Embrace the unpredictable. Seek out wisdom. Ignore the shouting.

That should tell you everything you need to know.

Ann Iona Warner