Friday, February 20, 2009

A Ready Heart

Matthew 13:10-13 (MSG)
10 The disciples came up and asked, "Why do you tell stories?"
11 He replied, "You've been given insight into God's kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn't been given to them.
12 Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears.
13 That's why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they're blue in the face and not get it.

The stories, or parables, are told to reveal a spiritual truth in the language of the natural.  A heart not ready to hear things of the Spirit will be put off by any words that speak of the world outside of creation.  But these parables can draw one and make a heart curious to move in that direction.  Such a heart can then begin to see and hear something quite different than what they once scorned as so much foolishness.  

The key is a ready heart.  A ready heart opens the door to salvation and wisdom, for these things flow from God to the heart that seeks Him.  He stands at the door and knocks.  Opening the door floods the inner being with His light as He enters.  When He does, His words suddenly make sense.  The world begins to make sense.  The light comes on.  It starts with the heart.

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