He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that ‘they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.'” Luke 8:10 NABRE
Jesus has shared a parable with a large crowd on seed and the sower. Afterwards His disciples asked Him what the meaning of the parable might be. Before explaining the meaning of the parable Jesus gives a reason why He teaches in parables. Jesus’ miracles have been compared to the prophets Elijah and Elisha and Jesus is presenting His teaching in light of Israel’s prophetic tradition, referring to the prophet Isaiah saying “they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.” (Isaiah 6:9) Jesus understands like the prophets before Him who were met with rejection, he too is a sign that will be contradicted, someone who brings division. Jesus’ parable will be received by those whose hearts are generous and good but not by those with a heart that is closed, unopen to God’s word. The disciples are granted knowledge, the rest remain on the surface rather than attaining the mysteries of the kingdom of God hidden in the parables. The word mysteries refers to God’s unfolding plan of salvation, God in heaven is the One who will reveal mysteries. Jesus is sent by God to begin revealing these mysteries to us with a pure heart to completely understand.
It is those whose heart are pure who are open who receive the word Jesus is sharing. If we pray in the word and keep our hearts pure we will be able to deepen our understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom of God. The kingdom will be available to us, now and in the future when we purely surrender all to God.
Do you pray for a pure heart? Are you deepening yourself in the word with prayer?
If we pray in the word and keep our hearts pure we will be able to deepen our understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom of God. The kingdom will be available to us, now and in the future when we purely surrender all to God. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #mystery #pure #Luke #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways