Scripture

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.”

Observation

Jesus sits beside the lake, where a large crowd gathers around Him.

Jesus tells the story of the sower. A farmer sows seed, scattering them around the field. Some falls on the hard soil of the path, and birds come and eat them. Some seeds fall on to shallow soil, where the seeds germinate quickly but then wither in the heat. Others fall among weeds where they are choked by thorns and thistles. But other seeds fall on fertile soil and they produce a crop of up to 100 times the planted seeds.

The disciples ask Jesus why He uses parables. He replies that those who listen to His teaching are given more understanding, but those who are not listening will lose the little understanding they have.

Application

If we pursue Jesus with all our heart, we will receive understanding. Some people are permitted to know the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but because they are passionate to serve Jesus, not because they are smart.

Biblical knowledge will only get you so far in God’s kingdom. To move into the deeper things, the “secrets”, you must spend time with the Lord.

Listening prayer gives us God’s insights into the specifics of living for God. Reading the Scriptures while listening to the Holy Spirit will also increase our insight.

Bible College is good, but how much better is it to develop our relationship with the Most High God.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for the awesome privilege of being your child. Thank you for opening the secrets of the Kingdom to those who pursue you. Please help me to make fellowship with you my highest priority. Amen.