Things Around Us

Mark 4:9-12 (MSG)
⁹ "Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
¹⁰ When they were off by themselves, those who were close to him, along with the Twelve, asked about the stories.
¹¹ He told them, "You've been given insight into God's kingdom—you know how it works. But to those who can't see it yet, everything comes in stories, creating readiness, nudging them toward receptive insight.
¹² These are people— Whose eyes are open but don't see a thing, Whose ears are open but don't understand a word, Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven."

Jesus taught using parables to bring the message of the gospel. The stories and examples He gave related earthly things to spiritual truth. The meanings were not immediately obvious, even to His disciples. But notice what those who were close to Him, those who followed Him in earnest, did after hearing a parable about one who sowed seeds in different soils. They did not understand the meaning of this story so they asked Him to help them understand. They went to the source, asked and it was given to them. For those who are curious, for those who might be open to the truth, for those who seek and knock on the doors of the heaven, they will find the answer.

Jesus left earth long ago, but He sent another teacher, the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth. At this point in the gospel the followers of Jesus did not have the Spirit within them to open their eyes and ears to the things of God. But He is in the world today for those who believe and accept Jesus. The gospel is offered to all, but it is foolishness to those who are perishing. The Word spoken to our hearts through the Holy Spirit is as fresh and living today as it was coming from the lips of Jesus teaching the crowds by the Sea of Galilee.

The life of Jesus could be viewed as a parable. Jesus is described as the exact image of God. But that was God in an earthy form, taking on our flesh that we might be saved and learn the truth. Spirit is revealed within creation. We can relate to God and heaven through things around us. There is much to see and to learn.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord