PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 13:10-17
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. (Matthew 13:13)
Jesus does not speak in parables to keep them from hearing and understanding.
Jesus uses parables because they refuse to listen and turn (Matthew 13:15).
Their hearts are hardened, they are blinded by self love, pride and stubbornness.
Jesus wants them to see, hear, understand and turn, so He can heal them.
What makes these words especially sad is who they are speaking about.
It is not godless or immoral pagans and atheists that are in view here.
Jesus is saddened because it is His own people – religious people, ‘church’ people.
People who have heard the message and attended synagogue since birth.
They’ve heard the words for so long, they are hardened to them, can’t hear them.
Sunday after Sunday we hear the message in church… are we hearing it?
Is the lukewarmness of many western churches and christians a hint of hardened soil?
Christians often challenge godless or immoral sinners, but are they the problem?
The sinners were turning to Jesus, and being healed; the religious were not.
What am I missing because I think I already know the message, but am hardened to it?
PRAYER
Lord, it is our refusal to admit blind spots that makes us blind. The blind cannot lead the blind, so show me where I am blind, or deaf, or hardened. May Your message penetrate my heart.
Help me be obedient and listening to You Lord. Do not let me harden my heart, and always speak louder than my distractions!
Ears to hear, eyes to see, words of understanding/insight – words of life that ‘pop out’ full of meaning to me – but not to those who do not have the eyes, ears and understanding of faith. How I wish I could pass on a ‘dose’ of faith to a loved one who doesn’t see or hear for whom the words of life in the scripture are just words! I cannot do the work of the HS – but I can forgive my unbelieving loved one, embrace him or her in the hopes that with the HS’s working may spark faith within. “Let love be genuine” for through it we can help bridge the gap. Jesus spoke parables, he loved the people – many heard and saw – but how many believed? We don’t know- but some did! So I too must be faithful to speak and to serve – because we don’t know who will ‘really hear and see’!
Lord Jesus, sometimes it’s hard to understand what You’re saying in a parable. Open my eyes, my ears and my heart so that I may see, hear and understand what You are teaching me.
Ears that hear; eyes that see are only a possibility if we/I have an open heart ready to receive so that His Word can take root. I need to continue to grow in His Word always seeking to do His will always seeking and never tiring to listen to His voice saying, This is the way. Walk in it.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy