“And He was saying to them, ‘take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.’ ”
Whoever has what?
Jesus said, “Whoever has, to him more shall be given.” What’s worse, not to “have” in this verse means to lose everything. What is it that someone must “have” in order to receive more or keep from loosing everything? What an urgent puzzle to solve! Can there be anything more important to me this morning than to inquire of God concerning what this “have” could be?
Of course the answer is simple, so much so that a young child could provide it. The answer is Christ. Whoever has Christ shall receive more, whoever does not have Christ, even when he has in this world will ultimately be lost. However, as simple and true as this answer is, I think Jesus is saying more about it. He seems to be deliberately not filling in all the blanks. If you did not already know the gospel, the answer would not be so simple. There is a degree of intentional obscuring going on in this parable. In fact, just a couple verses earlier, Jesus says… “nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it should come to light.” He then exhorts us “he who has ears to hear, let him hear” and then again “take care what you listen to.” Jesus talks about hidden and secret things that are to be revealed, then urges us to listen carefully, then He speaks a parable in the form of a riddle. Is there not something hidden in these words that can be revealed? Have we not been set up to look for a secret that can be brought to light?
The answer to the riddle is simple. The reason for making it a riddle in the first place makes me think that there is more to it. Far be it from me to try and solve such a riddle completely. It is enough for me to find some facet of revelation through which my soul might be “given more besides.”
It seems that “my standard of measure” is one of the chief concerns of this passage. First, I have been exhorted twice in a row with regard to how and what I listen to. I would presume that my “standard of measure” relates to this hearing and listening. There is an urgency, therefore, not only that I hear something, but that I “consider carefully” (NIV) to what I am hearing. Specifically, I need to consider “the measure” (i.e. the quantity and quality) with which I am listening. I need to give heed to Jesus’ exhortation and consider the measure with which I listen. If I neglect His exhortation I will not listen very much or very often. If I have a small scoop, so to speak, and only occasionally read the word and consider it briefly, my measure will be small and what I receive will be less. If I have a voracious appetite for the word and come to it with big baskets and heavy duty sacks, “my measure” will be large and I will receive more. The promise of Psalm 81 comes to mind, “open your mouth wide and I will fill it…”, “oh that My people would listen to Me… I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
The “what” that Jesus speaks of having, in answer to the riddle, is Christ Himself. The reality of whether I have Him or not, or the degree to which I receive Him relates to “my measure.” No measure; no Christ; lose everything. Some measure; some Christ; (by His grace) gain more. Great measure; more Christ; even more besides.
O my soul, how much do you want Jesus? Why should you not come to Him in full measure? But do not forget to the double exhortation to give heed to listening to His word. This is how you will enlarge your measure. Come to the word wanting more. Bring your scoop, No! your shovel; and dig deep! Lord Jesus enlarge my heart, open my ears, deepen my love for you and satisfy my heart by your Spirit through your word so that Jesus, you will be all that I want, more and more. Amen.
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