Do you See or Hear
How well do you know the Bible? If you are like me, you might say, "The more I study the Bible, the more I realize how much I have yet to learn." This is because the Bible is truly vast in scope, covering thousands of years, and the combined human experience of all generations. It is also because the Bible is the "Living Word," offering new meanings as we are confronted with new challenges and circumstances.
Jesus came into a Jewish culture in which their understanding of the scriptures had ossified into a rigid code of conduct. He was challenged to reveal the truths of scripture that had been lost somewhere along the way. He taught in parables, but some did not receive his teachings.
When asked why he taught in parables (Matt 13), the answer Jesus gave revealed more about the listeners than the speaker. Jesus replied, "The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.'"
The keys to hearing and seeing what Jesus wants to show us are openness and humility. We must approach the scriptures, ready for God to reveal something wonderful and new. We must pray, expecting God to speak back. And we must study scripture together, prepared to learn something new.
In Acts 10:9-16, there is a beautiful story about Peter being confronted with such a challenge. He had a vision of a sheet being lowered, holding many unclean animals. He heard the voice of God saying, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat." This mortified Peter, who could not stomach the idea of eating unclean food. Eventually, he understood that the vision was God's way of nudging him to share the gospel with Gentiles. Without humility before God and an openness to understand scripture in a new way, Peter would have missed the point entirely.
If I hear Jesus right, dull hearts shut eyes, and deaf ears impede healing. Let's renew our sense of wonder that Jesus desires a broken heart (repentance), and from it, he makes all things new.
Jesus came into a Jewish culture in which their understanding of the scriptures had ossified into a rigid code of conduct. He was challenged to reveal the truths of scripture that had been lost somewhere along the way. He taught in parables, but some did not receive his teachings.
When asked why he taught in parables (Matt 13), the answer Jesus gave revealed more about the listeners than the speaker. Jesus replied, "The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.'"
The keys to hearing and seeing what Jesus wants to show us are openness and humility. We must approach the scriptures, ready for God to reveal something wonderful and new. We must pray, expecting God to speak back. And we must study scripture together, prepared to learn something new.
In Acts 10:9-16, there is a beautiful story about Peter being confronted with such a challenge. He had a vision of a sheet being lowered, holding many unclean animals. He heard the voice of God saying, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat." This mortified Peter, who could not stomach the idea of eating unclean food. Eventually, he understood that the vision was God's way of nudging him to share the gospel with Gentiles. Without humility before God and an openness to understand scripture in a new way, Peter would have missed the point entirely.
If I hear Jesus right, dull hearts shut eyes, and deaf ears impede healing. Let's renew our sense of wonder that Jesus desires a broken heart (repentance), and from it, he makes all things new.
Posted in Teach
Related Posts
Recent
Categories
Archive
2021
2020
April
May
June
July
August
Welcome Rev Carlos JonesBeasley See Our FaithI Hear An OutstandingNew Sunday TimelineWould You Like to Have A Stephen Minister?Immediatley UpcomingCasa de PanThe Library is Open AgainBlessings For Children School SuppliesHarsh Realities and More OpportunitiesBread HousePray to Keep Discipleship a Priority
September
October
Using the New Church AppBread House Week 24A Word from Dr. Brad BradfordPart One of Lead Pastor's Report to the Charge ConferencePastor Appreciation MonthBread House Week 25Check It Out!Report to Charge Conference Part 2Lead Pastor's Report to Charge Conference Part 3A Prayerful NeedBread House Week 26Lead Pastor’s Annual Conference Report Part FourChurch Organist NeededChurch Pianist NeededWeek 27 Bread House ReportLet Us Be Renewed As A NationThank You from Pastor BradBread House Week 28Help A Family In Need At ThanksgivingAll Saints' Day
November
December
Thanksgiving Bag UpdateCome and Go Reception2020 Angel Tree Update #1Trunk or Treat WinnersA Word from our LibrarianAn Advent Reset is Really Needed This YearBread House Week 33Bread House Week 34A Word from Our Librarian - CHRISTmas!Upcoming Events at ShalimarA Very Merry, Thank YouIntroducing Mrs. Tracy MankBread House Week 35As Christmas Eve Approaches Shalimar UMC, I am So Grateful for You and Merry ChristmasGod with us...Thanks be to GodBread House Week 36We Have Survived, Now Thrive!
2019
September
December
No Comments