SUNDAY SCRIPTURE (MATTHEW 13:10-17)

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.

Matthew 13:10-17 (ESV)

How blessed are we to have God's Word?  Jesus gave many parables that many people couldn't understand.  Jesus shared their meanings with his disciples and they have written them down for us today.  We should be grateful that we have this written record, for these parables speak to us about the kingdom of God.  

Yet many today still have dull hearts.  They are unable to hear or see.  Without the Holy Spirit's help, we can't truly understand the impact that these words have.  They communicate more than just knowledge, but bring about faith in those whom God has chosen to give it.  If your heart still lacks understanding, pray to God for His Holy Spirit, so that you can have ears that hear and eyes that see and a heart that believes.