Verse of the Day 2/5

Verse of the Day 2/5

Matthew 13:16-17 English Standard Version

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

In today's passage (below), Jesus explains his use of parables. The catch peoples interest and cause them to consider what has just been said.  What is the meaning of the "story", how does it apply to me?  How you react to them gives an indication as to where you stand.  In verse 15 Jesus describes the condition of many who would be listening, their hears had grown dull, their eyes were closed to God and their ears could "barely hear".  Jesus' followers felt blessed. They couid "see with their eyes and hear with their ears" what God was telling them.  Their hearts were the good soil in the parables.  They took the message in and applied it to their lives and it produced fruit.

If you have some time this Sunday, read the 7 parables in Matthew 13.  If you do, how will you feel after reading them?  It will be a good indication of your heart, blessed or dull.  Hopefully, you'll be overwhelmed by the love of God.

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me

[Chorus]
O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
O, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
O, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God,   (Reckless Love - Cory Asbury)

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Matthew 13:10-17

English Standard Version

The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" 11 And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

"'"You will indeed hear but never understand,
    and you will indeed see but never perceive."
15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
    and with their ears they can barely hear,
    and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
    and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
    and turn, and I would heal them.'

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.