Matthew 13:13-17 KJV
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Parables are simple stories used to illustrate profound spiritual truths.
Jesus used them because, although many people saw and heard His teachings, they didn’t truly understand the spiritual depth and meanings behind them.
Many of us have a challenge with spiritual comprehension. We too can be spiritually death and blind at times.
I encounter so many people who hear but don't understand. See but don't preceive. It truly saddens my heart to see this in real time.
The reason this happens is due to the hardness of their hearts, dullness of their ears, and closed eyes.
The people’s spiritual senses have become calloused, preventing them from receiving the true gospel. They cannot read hearts and therefore can only remain in pain.
These verses challenge us to reflect on the condition of our own hearts.
Are our hearts truly open and receptive to God’s Word, or have they become hardened?
Spiritual understanding requires a heart that is tender/dirt, willing to listen, and eager to understand.
It involves more than just hearing words; it requires acceptance as well as application of those words.
In verse 16, Jesus turns to His disciples and says, "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."
The disciples were blessed because they were able to accept the truths Jesus was teaching.
This blessing wasn’t due to their own wisdom or insight but God broke them down so that they can accept his words.
Our trials and past help break us down in order to receive.
Jesus emphasizes the privilege of this spiritual perception in verse 17: "For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."
It's normal for us not to understand God, even those who have salvation. It's such a struggle because we want to understand, but understanding is not what God wanted for us.
He wanted 100% faith and submission through acceptance.
These disciples did one thing correctly, they accepted that they were nothing and God was everything. This was how they were able to go beyond the surface level and truly grow spiritually.
God is showing us the way to profound knowledge and deep wisdom. It's not by our own actions or efforts, but it starts at the heart.
God made his word accesible, but whether you accept it or reject it will determine your spiritual growth.
Let us not take this for granted. Instead, let us seek to cultivate open hearts and attentive ears. This will allow us to fully receive the word of God through his servants.
I hope and pray that every one of you guys can look past ego, self-righteousness, experience, past trauma, trust issues, etc.
My wish as a minister is to have everyone grow deeper in their relationship with our Father.
Amen & Selah!
