Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 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. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them”, and in chapter thirteen and verse eighteen of his book, Matthew wrote how Jesus tells His disciples to, “hear … the parable of the sower” where we read:
Hear you therefore the parable of the sower.
The verse reads, “Hear you therefore ...” Matthew began with the word, “hear you” which means “disciples of Jesus be endowed with the faculty of hearing, attending to, considering, understanding, perceiving and comprehending” “therefore” or “then, wherefore, accordingly and consequently”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples to “comprehend and understand” that which He is going to declare.
The verse continues, “... the parable of the sower.” Matthew added the words, “the parable” which means “the narrative which is fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God's kingdom are figuratively portrayed and are earthly stories with heavenly meanings” “of the sower” or “pertaining to the one who scatters seed”. Matthew shared how Jesus wanted His disciples to know the meaning of the “earthly story with a heavenly meaning” concerning the “one who scatters seed”.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus wanted to share the meaning of His “parable” with His disciples. They were in an advantageous position with Him, and though the multitude heard Jesus speak and saw His works, they did not “understand” the principles of the kingdom of heaven. God wants people to comprehend His “parables”, but only those who have given their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” are given the ability to understand them. Those who are wise will become His disciples, and God by His Holy Spirit shall reveal the meanings of His “parables” to them.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples about, “when any one hears the word of the kingdom”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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