Hear and Understand - Matthew 15:10

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death. But you say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever you might be profited by me. And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draw near unto me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”, and in chapter fifteen and verse ten of his book, Matthew shares how Jesus told the multitude, “Hear, and understand” where we read:

And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

The verse reads, “And he called the multitude, and said unto them, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “and he called” which means “and Jesus summoned, invited and bid” “the multitude” or “the crowd or company of people who were gathered together”, “and said” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto them” which refers to “the multitude”. Matthew shared how Jesus “beckoned” the crowd of people and told them the following.

The verse goes on to say, “... Hear, and understand:” Matthew added the word, “hear” which means “be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf, attend to, understand and perceive”, “and understand” which means “comprehend and be wise”. Matthew shared how Jesus desired for the “crowd” around Him to “perceive” and “comprehend” that which He is going to declare to them.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus desired for the “multitude” to listen to and comprehend that which He was to share with them. God desires a loving and trusting relationship with people through His Son Jesus, and when He makes a special declaration, they should want to know not only what He “says”, but also “perceive and comprehend” every word. Intimacy with God is a privilege and a must for the believer in Jesus Christ, and those who are wise shall listen attentively and obey every word that proceeds from His mouth.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus, “Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth”, 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" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.