Matthew
chapter 13 records several parables Jesus taught regarding the nature of the
Kingdom. The disciples asked him why he
taught in parables and Jesus explained (Matthew 13:10-17). He told them that those having ears to hear
would understand, but those without wouldn’t.
This was to fulfill what was prophesied by Isaiah, “You will keep on
hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not
perceive” (Matthew 13:14; Isaiah 6:9).
“But
blessed are your eyes,” he said to His disciples, “because they see, and your
ears, because they hear” (Matthew 13:16).
The term “blessed” can otherwise be translated as “happy.” What makes for happy eyes and ears? Eyes that see and ears that hear!
Most
do not understand the things of God. “A
natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians
2:14). Most are blind to the truth: “The
god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not
see the light of the gospel of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The context of our passage speaks to
this. The sower went out to sow, but
more often than not the seed fell on unfruitful soil (Matthew 13:3-9;
19-23). Jesus spoke in parables, but
most did not understand. And even the
prophets and righteous men desired to see (ESV, “longed to see”), but were not
privileged to.
Helen Keller was
only two years old when an illness struck her blind and deaf. Unable to communicate with the outside world
her life was filled with a despair that one can only imagine. Miss Anne Sullivan was brought to assist her
and worked patiently to break through the darkness. One day she and "Teacher"—as Helen always called
her—went to the outdoor pump. Miss
Sullivan started to draw water and put Helen's hand under the spout. As the
cool water gushed over one hand, she spelled into the other hand the word
"w-a-t-e-r" first slowly, then rapidly. Suddenly, the signals had meaning in Helen's
mind. She knew that "water" meant the wonderful cool substance
flowing over her hand. Quickly, she stopped and touched the earth and demanded
its letter name and by nightfall she had learned 30 words. Helen later wrote of the experiences of that
day: “As we continued to the house every object which I touched quivered with
life. That was because I saw everything
with a strange, new sight that had come to me.
It would have been difficult to find a happier child than I was as I lay
in my crib…and for the first time longed for a new day to come.” Such is the spiritual experience of every
newly born child of God!
The
ability to comprehend truth is a privilege that has been granted to you by
God. Remember the day when the Spirit
first brought opened your eyes to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:6)! Words that had previously lacked meaning and
import were made precious (1 Corinthians 2:12).
A longing for the truth was Spirit-borne into your heart (1 Peter 2:2)! How glorious the day when your eyes and ears
were made happy by God! “Amazing grace
how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am
found, was blind, but now I see!”
You
have happy eyes and ears! You’ve been
privileged in a way that most on earth are not.
Others long for Bibles, you have many.
Others believers around the world meet in secret and risk persecution
and arrest to meet together, you have the freedom to openly gather to fellowship
and hear God’s word. Don’t take for
granted that which God has so graciously given.
Happy eyes are made happier still as they are fixed upon the Savior
(Hebrews 12:2). Happy ears rejoice to
hear Him speak through His Word (John 10:27; Colossians 3:16). He has many more things to show you and to
tell you about (1 Corinthians 2:9). Be
glad for Spirit-borne keen sight and good hearing!
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