January 22, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:10-17
OBSERVATIONS
Why does Jesus speak in parables? He explains that He uses these simple stories to separate between the people who want to hear, and those who do not. The stories are not difficult, but neither are they plainly spelled out. It takes an open and eager mind, a desire to go beyond the surface to hear God’s wisdom in it.
Some people do not want to hear (like the religious leaders who keep asking for signs, despite all the signs Jesus has already given). To the open heart, evidence for God is abundant, but to the closed mind no matter how much you point to, they will not see it.
The parables are not difficult, and they will yield their message to those who seek it. But the proud, the close-minded, the self-confident will dismiss these simple stories, will not strive to figure out their message.
This is true of the bible, of Jesus, of the evidence for God in creation, of the Spirit’s testimony in the heart. People who want to hear it, who are open to see it, who come to Jesus (in prayer) like the disciples and ask for help to understand it, they will hear it. To those who knock, the door will be opened; to those who seek, they will find; to those who ask, it will be given to them.
This does not mean that we will always get the information of answers we want, when we want them; many prophets and righteous people were open and eager to see God’s love in the Messiah; they did not see it in their lifetime, but they did get to see it on the other side.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
God’s wisdom and God’s love is communicated everywhere and always: in the bible, in creation, in the stories and experiences of my life, in the quietness of my heart and in the reasoning of my mind. The question is not whether God is communicating, the question is whether I am listening, whether I am willing to hear, whether I have ears to hear.
Psalm 19 tells us that God is speaking all the time through creation; Romans 1 tells us that we have no excuse for not seeing or hearing God’s message.
I believe that on judgment day our eyes will be opened, and it will become evident that it was not for lack of trying on God’s part that we did not see or hear Him, but for lack of trying on our part to see or hear Him.
It’s like the gambler so wrapped up in her addiction that she does not heed the warning signs all around her… until her life crashes, and then she sees everything clearly, and faces regret.
Can I relate to this? Is there something in my life that God is addressing, but I am not willing to listen?
An open, honest and reflective person will hear from God, if they are willing.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, thank You for the way You do speak to me, in both a clear and challenging way. It takes work to listen (and a willing, open heart), but the effort is worth it. Help me to invest myself in hearing and learning from You!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Secrets
I remember being with a group of people, where they are laughing and joking, and having a great time, and I am standing by, not knowing what the joke is, or what is so funny. I am not part of the group. I feel bad, even so far as wondering if the joke is about me. I remember wondering what if I were part of the group. If I felt welcome, and could laugh along. This scenario happens regularly, and I have been on both sides.
I wonder if there is a bit of this to Jesus telling parables. He talks to people in stories, so that people can hear him, but not really get what he is saying. Then I wonder if I really get what he is saying. He tells us that there is some real truth to what he is saying, that the keys to the kingdom are in his stories somewhere. But I hear about a guy planting seeds, a mustard seed growing into a tree, a woman looking for coins, and a guy who runs away from his dad. Maybe the truth is going right over my head. Maybe there is much more to this kingdom stuff that I or anyone I know can fathom. Or maybe I am over thinking this whole thing, but I doubt it. I think that the kingdom message is being missed.
If I were really understanding the stories of Jesus, then I think that his kingdom would be revealed to me. Is it really like a puzzle? Does this take an intellect to figure out? Or does God reveal himself to the simple, to the childlike? If so, is faith a simple or childish message?
I pray that I will keep on asking the tough questions, because I think that it is by pondering them, and looking for answers, that I may be given a glimpse of what is really going on in these stories.
Observations:
I am reminded of a jingle entitled ‘Turn Your Radio On.” The radio is always playing but I can’t hear it since I haven’t turned the radio on. Then I am also reminded of the parable of the talents because even the one talent was taken away and given to the one who had ten. The parables used everyday common items familiar with the people and yet they could piece it together. Calloused hearts. Hardened hearts. Closed minds. Closed hearts. Closed eyes. Wrong focus. Wrong desire.
Application:
Where did I see Jesus today? How did I start the day? Where is my PowerSource? ‘Turn the radio on!’ Open the door and let Jesus in. SonShine. Stop. Look. Listen. And hear the Voice saying, ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’ Open ears. Open mind. Open heart. Open Hands. Ever receiving and always hearing because we are not our own, but we live for Jesus. Open my heart Lord that I might see You also his day to do Your will.
Prayer:
Speak Lord for Your servant is listening. Help me always to put You first (TGIF) and to place my hand in Yours so that You lead me and guide me along the way.
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Verse 2:
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Verse 3:
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Filled with messages from Thee.
Verse 4:
Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Verse 5:
Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Verse 6:
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee.