ears to hear

My pastor has been teaching through Jesus' parables, encouraging us to get into the Word during the week to discover more and come back prepared to discuss. I don't think I have ever done a deep dive into the parables. Why that is, I'm not sure, but it has reminded me how much I need to study God's Word regularly and determinedly. Studying definitely takes more effort than breezing through Bible stories and psalms. 

The parables were uniquely crafted to pull back the curtain just a bit for serious followers to catch a glimpse of Jesus's kingdom and their future involvement. At the same time, casual listeners remained oblivious to the deeper messages. Though the multitudes could grasp the common setting in each of the parables, there was a reason Christ left it at that, then disclosed his reasons later when the disciples asked. (Years later, the curtain is pulled back even more with John's writing on Revelation.)  

"Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 13:9

Jesus' disciples asked why he spoke in parables. His reply is interesting and shows how his main audience was the disciples, not the great crowds who came to him in droves. 

"Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." Matt. 13:11

That answer alone would rub most self-righteous listeners the wrong way. It's reflective of what Jesus said about the strait gate and the narrow path few find and enter. Many do seek to enter but the reality is, they will not be able to. (Matthew 7:14 and Luke 13:24) We have a strong tendency to measure ourselves by our own standard rather than God's, then pat one another on the back.   

    

"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." Matt. 13:15 

What are you studying this week?