10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
(Matthew 13)
Why did Jesus teach in parables? Because those who really believed, who trusted in Him, would keep on listening until they could understand; they would really want to hear what He had to say. His answer to His disciples question was this: "Because you guys do get it; and if you don't you will keep seeking the answer - keep asking me - until you do. Your hearts want the truth." Do ours?
The first Sunday of every month we do a nursing home service. Many of those who attend have been doing so month after month for years. There is one man, who now has become gray with age, who every service, at one point or another, with look at me and belt out "Jesus in my heart; Jesus in my heart." He looks and sounds like a little boy. His joy and excitment over his salvation is obvious and overflowing. He keeps coming back for more, listening intently each time. Jesus says here: "That's the way my true followers are." Do we act that way?
No comments:
Post a Comment