JESUS SPEAKING
And the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they don’t hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their hearts are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Mathew 13: 10-17.)
INSPIRED THOUGHTS
In the original Greek language, the word ‘parable’ means ‘beside,’ or ‘alongside.’ The Earth is a reflection of what exists in heaven; so earthly things and heavenly things run parallel, or ‘alongside’ one another. It has been said that “a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.” The vast majority of individuals can comprehend the earthly significance of a parable, but only the heart can understand the deeper spiritual truths. Many can see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and yet their hearts are hardened; in turn, they will never realize the full power of the Lord’s teachings.
A number of years ago I fought a nasty battle against drug addiction. After getting sober and becoming a Christian, I returned to those who had helped me through that dark time in my life. During my visit, a man approached me; a patient whose terrible addiction to cocaine had left his life in ruins. He came to me because he had heard that I was a believer. He immediately professed a strong faith in Jesus Christ; then he began quoting scripture; amazingly he knew the bible inside and out; yet despite his knowledge of God’s word, he had still chosen to live a life of sin and depravity. I treated the man with love and respect, but it was obvious that, despite hearing God’s word, his heart had never truly understood it.
Today, there are many whose hearts are hardened. They hear but fail to truly understand; they see but cannot perceive the truth of God’s eternal revelation. May our hearts never be hardened; may we continue to receive the word of God willingly, and with great enthusiasm. The Holy scriptures have the power to reconcile God and man; the power to bring light where there is only darkness; and the ability to transform the hearts and minds of all those who are willing to listen.
“Lord Heavenly Father, open our hearts and minds, that we may comprehend Your truth and understand Your words. Make Your home within us; may Your Holy Spirit lead us, teach us, and guide us in the ways of righteousness, that we might love others as You have loved us. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” God bless all of you.
Jesus Speaks 