Post by Woody Williams on Jul 16, 2008 8:32:58 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 13:10-17
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Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in
parables?’ He answered, ‘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
those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance;
but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken
away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do
not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they
understand.” With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah
that says:
“You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,and they have shut their
eyes;so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen 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. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to
see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but
did not hear it.
Devotional
----------
Jesus often taught in parables, little stories that pointed beyond
themselves to a deeper truth. What is it that unravels the mystery of
the parable? Jesus seems to be saying that it is getting beyond just
hearing the words. Jesus parables were about the kingdom of God and
himself and how responding to the parable in action would manifest
the kingdom. Jesus teaching was more than just good advice about how
to live. His teachings opened up life itself. When you understand the
parables you understand how God works in the world through Jesus and
ultimately through you.
Prayer
--------------
Lord, let your Word fill my life with meaning and loving action. Amen
----------
Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in
parables?’ He answered, ‘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
those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance;
but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken
away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do
not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they
understand.” With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah
that says:
“You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and their ears are hard of hearing,and they have shut their
eyes;so that they might not look with their eyes,
and listen 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. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to
see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but
did not hear it.
Devotional
----------
Jesus often taught in parables, little stories that pointed beyond
themselves to a deeper truth. What is it that unravels the mystery of
the parable? Jesus seems to be saying that it is getting beyond just
hearing the words. Jesus parables were about the kingdom of God and
himself and how responding to the parable in action would manifest
the kingdom. Jesus teaching was more than just good advice about how
to live. His teachings opened up life itself. When you understand the
parables you understand how God works in the world through Jesus and
ultimately through you.
Prayer
--------------
Lord, let your Word fill my life with meaning and loving action. Amen