Thursday (July 24): Many longed to hear what you hear Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17 The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to the crowd in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see. Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and be converted and I heal them. “But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” Meditation: Do you want to grow in your knowledge of God? Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) once said: I believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe. Both faith and understanding are gifts of the Holy Spirit that enable us to hear Gods word with clarity so we can know God better and grow in the knowledge of his love and truth. Jesus, however, had to warn his disciples that not everyone would understand his teaching. Closed hearts - prejudiced minds The prophet Isaiah had warned that some would hear Gods word, but not believe, some would see Gods actions and miracles, and remained unconvinced. Ironically some of the greatest skeptics of Jesus teaching and miracles were the learned scribes and Pharisess who prided themselves on their knowledge of scripture, especially on the law of Moses. They heard Jesus parables and saw the great signs and miracles which he performed, but they refused to accept both Jesus and his message. How could they hear and never understand and see but never perceive? They were spiritually blind and deaf because their hearts were closed and their minds were blocked by pride and prejudice. How could a man from Galilee, the supposed son of a carpenter, know more about God and his word, than these experts who devoted their lives to the study and teaching of the law of Moses? The humble of heart receive understanding There is only one thing that can open a closed, confused, and divided mind - a broken heart and humble spirit! The word disciple means one who is willing to learn and ready to submit to the wisdom and truth which comes from God. Psalm 119 expresses the joy and delight of a disciple who loves Gods word and who embraces it with trust and obedience. Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. (Psalm 119:97-99) Listen with reverence and faith God can only reveal the secrets of his kingdom to the humble and trusting person who acknowledges their need for God and for his truth. The parables of Jesus will enlighten us if we approach them with an open mind and heart, ready to let them challenge us. If we approach Gods word with indifference, skepticism, and disbelief, then we, too, may hear but not understand and see but not perceive. Gods word can only take root in a receptive heart that is ready to believe and willing to submit. If we want to hear and to understand Gods word, we must listen with reverence and faith. Do you believe Gods word and do you submit to it with trust and reverence? Jerome, an early church bible scholar who lived between 342-419 AD, wrote: You are reading [the scriptures]? No.Your betrothed is talking to you. It is your betrothed, that is, Christ, who is united with you. He tears you away from the solitude of the desert and brings you into his home, saying to you, Enter into the joy of your Master. Holy Spirit, be my teacher and guide. Open my ears to hear Gods word and open my eyes to understand Gods action in my life. May my heart never grow dull and may my ears never tire of listening to the voice of Christ.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 15:12:12 +0000
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