Scripture

“Blessed are your eyes, because they see and your ears, because they hear.”

Observation

People hear the words of Jesus, but they don’t listen or understand. This fulfils the prophecy of Isaiah who said that people would hear and not understand, and see without comprehending.

On the other hand, the disciples are blessed because they see, hear, and understand.

Jesus then explains the parable of the seeds. The seed on the path represent the people whose hearts are hard and satan steals the gospel from them. The rocky soil represents people who hear the gospel, but fall away when problems arise. The thorns represent the cares of the world that crowd out faith. But the seed that falls on good soil produces a harvest of 30, 60, or even 100 fold.

Application

Many people just cannot hear the gospel because their hearts are hardened to it. It doesn’t matter how powerful the preaching is or how earnestly we share with them, or how perfect our life is, they just do not get it. They have hardened their hearts so much that they just cannot see or hear the message of salvation.

Those of us who are saved have ears, eyes, and hearts that are blessed.

It takes a ready heart to respond to the good news. The faith to believe is itself a gift from God. A soft heart that is able to respond to the call of the Lord is itself a blessing from God.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for giving me ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to receive your love. Please help me to keep my heart soft to you. Amen.