"I Don't Understand!"

Recently, during our Sunday morning Bible study group, we were dealing with a challenging paragraph from Luke’s Sermon on the Plain. The text included a short passage of three verses on Jesus’ statements of woe (Luke 6:24-26). The teaching was characteristically paradoxical in nature. The kind of challenge that often has the best of Bible students shaking their heads. One of our class members confessed aloud to everyone gathered around the table, “Hey! I don’t know about you, but I’m going to need some help with this one!”

Image credit: istock.com

Monique and I love to watch episodes of The Chosen on television. We like the vividly fresh way that the producers and actors depict the life of Jesus. Sometimes these creative writers take liberties with the literal accounts of Scripture (like a paraphrase would do!), but we have found that the end-product usually captures the essence of what the Bible is teaching.

One memorable, thought-provoking, and entertaining scene (obviously extra-biblical for sure), captured a private conversation that Jesus had with Mary, His mother. They were sitting at a table and facing each other in a tender moment of reflection. The disciples could barely be heard chattering in a nearby room. It was in this private setting that Jesus openly showed His frustration with His closest followers who were not understanding His teaching and mission.

The Lord confessed to His beloved mother in this one-on-one conversation, “I don’t know why they can’t get this!” Mary looked earnestly into her son’s eyes, and said matter-of-factly, “You do know, son, that you often speak in parables and riddles.” Jesus paused in that pregnant moment and could be seen with His head down and shaking it side to side when He finally responded with a twinkle in his eye, “I know. I know.” While the Bible does not record any such conversation between Mary and Jesus, I can imagine that there were many precious moments like this when Jesus confided in His mother!

What do you do when you come to a passage that has you so befuddled that you blurt aloud, “I don’t understand! I’m going to need some help here!” May I make a few suggestions that may be helpful? First take out a pencil and sheet of paper to put alongside your study Bible. Then, read and re-read aloud the passage under consideration several times. Do so slowly and deliberately enough so that you can hear the Word in a fresh and clearer way.

Next, bombard the text with questions. Write these down as you ask everything you want to know about this challenging passage. Using your reference notes, compare other passages that record similar words and teaching. These parallel passages may give you insights that will make the context and meaning more understandable. Also, use multiple translations and paraphrases in your search for answers. (The YouVersion app has many translations available for your use.)  

Finally, stay in control of your search for answers to your specific questions. Limit the use of commentaries, search engines, and AI. While these resources may be extremely helpful later in your study, the temptation is to get drawn into fascinating and rabbit-chasing insights that consume time and may take you off-tract in your pursuit of answers. Instead, pray that the Holy Spirit will keep you focused on your original questions. If you’ll keep focused, I think you will be surprised at how God will guide and enlighten you with fresh ideas and truth.

The Bible is clear in teaching about the work of the Holy Spirit regarding Scripture. “All Scripture is inspired (God-breathed!) and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong with our lives. It corrects us when we do wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NLT).

In the closing hours of His instruction to the Disciples before the Cross, Jesus taught them regarding the Spirit’s role in their lives saying. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” (John 14:16-17a).

Each week before our online study group, I like to pray before we get started, “Oh Lord, come as Master Teacher today. Teach us, guide our study, and open our minds to receive the truth that is in Your Word. May our spiritual ears be open to hear what you have for us in this passage. Amen.”  

Next time we are looking for answers, let’s heed Jesus’ words, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Mark 4:9).

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
©2018-2026 All rights reserved.
Serve by Design. mjkministries.com

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