Some days are just difficult aren’t they? Jesus understands difficult days. He experienced many of them. Everywhere He went, crowds formed. Always close by were the Pharisees. They wanted miraculous signs from Jesus. Prove to us that You are from God. Constantly trying to “trip” Him up.
All through the gospels when the Pharisees were nearby, we often see scripture that says, He knew what they were planning or He knew what they were thinking. He knows our thoughts and plans as well. He knows when we are having difficult days. He knows who or what troubles us.
Keep in mind, He had already dealt with issues earlier and now He is down on the shore and has gotten into a boat. He sat teaching the people on the shore. He told stories in the form of parables. The disciples knew what He was saying but the new followers often did not. Like a puzzle that must be pieced together to get the full picture. I suppose that He knew who was understanding and who was not. Likewise, He probably could tell whose heart was already set against Him. So the disciples approached Him after His teaching and asked Him why He used these stories when talking to the people. His response, is our scripture today.
~Thought For Today~
The one who is able to understand the message of Christ is blessed. As time passes more and more will be revealed. But those who place no importance in learning will have what little they had, taken from them. They saw Him speak and yet they did not see, they heard His words and yet they did not hear nor understand. Eventually the heart will become dull to the message. Their ears will not hear nor will they see the message that is salvation through grace and the forgiveness of sins by Jesus Christ.
There are hearts that have dulled to the message, eyes that will not see and ears that refuse to hear all around us. Yet that does not change who He is. Jesus the lover of our souls. Our Redeemer. Our Prince of Peace. Our Shelter when the storms pass by. Nothing can ever change who Jesus is to the believer…Nothing.
He goes on to say that blessed are the eyes that see and the ears that hear.
If we have personally come to the saving grace of Jesus, then that same grace should be our prayer for all who have closed their eyes, their ears and their hearts. We should long for them to find the forgiveness, the peace and joy that comes from a relationship with Christ. Now is not the time to be quiet.
~Scripture For Today~
Matthew 13:11-16
11 Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,
‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 15 For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 For truly 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. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! You know our every thought. You know what our hearts truly desire for those who don’t see the message that is Christ. We pray that all, not just some, but all, should come to the saving grace of Jesus. Father, don’t let bitterness, anger and fear stifle our desire to keep telling our stories of Amazing Grace to anyone who will listen. Eternity is at stake. We pray for courage and boldness to bring light into the dark places. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.