HOST: Michael Whitworth
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 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.
Whenever Jesus spoke, his audience was made up of many types of hearers, including those who were faithful followers and sincere listeners, and those who had already rejected Him but sought some basis for accusing Him of wrongdoing. Jesus’ use of parables was for the purpose of differentiating between these two groups. Those who were insincere and simply looking to trap Him by His words would only hear an earthly story and miss the spiritual meaning. However, those who sincerely desired to learn from Him and were listening with “spiritual” ears would gain knowledge about and insight into the kingdom of God. It occurs to me that the word of God is much the same for us today. Those who view it skeptically and look into it only to discredit it will surely miss out on the wonderful blessings gained through knowing God and His will for us. But conversely, the diligent and sincere student of God’s Word who seeks to be taught and strengthened by its precepts will be blessed beyond measure by the timeless truths of that holy book. May we all approach God’s word with willing and open hearts!
What are some of the blessings of studying God’s word?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
