“Blessed are your eyes, because they see: and
your ears,because they hear...To you it has been granted to know
the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Matthew 13:16

 

When Jesus walked on the earth he performed many miracles and instructed the multitudes in the truths of the Kingdom of Heaven. He most often used parables to give a graphic understanding of what He was saying and doing. These parables were a test of the heart of those listening on. It seemed that some could comprehend the message put forth while others would be totally incapable. Only His disciples, those who were closest to Him, received a more complete explanation of the things of God, and could correctly interpret what was being said through revelation knowledge granted to them of the Heavenly Father. Jesus commended Peter for his confession that Jesus was the Christ acknowledging that it was the revelation of the Holy Spirit that gave him this understanding. It was prophesied of Jesus that He would speak in parables and that many would hear but not understand. The Lord seemed to want the mysteries of God along with a special blessing to be reserved for a select few and remain hidden from others. According to Matthew 13:16, Jesus rewards those who see and hear with further revelation knowledge.

What is the missing link, we would ask, between those who would hear and see and experience the revelation of God and those who would remain deaf and blind? Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and that it is a still, small, voice, suggesting that it is practically inaudible, and that unless one was straining their ears to hear they would miss it. The miracles He performed in the presence of all were not received by all and when in the company of the unbelieving, many signs and wonders were hindered. Jesus explained that he who belongs to God hears what God says, but those who do not belong to God do not hear. (John 8:47) Revelation 2:7 throws more light on the subject stating that those who have an ear are those chosen of the Lord to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. Regarding the revelation of Jesus Christ given to John on the Isle of Patmos, those who would read it and hear it and take to heart what is written in it would be counted among the blessed. (Revelation1:3) This scripture suggests that a second step to hearing the word of God is to seriously consider what is being said.

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he encourages them to fix their eyes “not on what is seen, but on what is unseen“ and petitions the Lord on behalf of the Ephesians for spiritual understanding: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you...” (Ephesians 1:17-18) The Psalmist asks the Lord to open his eyes that he may see the wonderful (additional to the obvious) things in God’s law, (Psalm 119:18). Both Paul and the Psalmist recognized that it is with the spirit that one is able to see and rightfully interpret the hidden things of God and that a requirement for successfully acquiring spiritual understanding is to seek the Lord in prayer for it.

Colossians 3:1-4 challenges the believer to fix his eyes on Jesus. How? By setting his mind and heart on things above and not on those of the earth. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus and the Word of God, who is Jesus, is revealed to the prophets. The prophet is likened to an eagle that glides high above the earth and is able to see things that are unseen from a lower vantage point. He is not earthbound in that he is not concerned with earthly gain and does not function in selfish ambition. He does not seek his own way, but his thoughts are in the heavenlies, and stayed on the things of God. His pursuit is to know God, understand His will, and faithfully obey His word. The prophet Isaiah encourages those who hope in the Lord that they will soar on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31) How is it that some would see and hear and understand the mysteries of God, while others miss out? The scriptures clearly illustrate that eyes to see and ears to hear are given to those who wholeheartedly seek the Lord and His ways and are attentive to what the Sprit is saying. Jesus taught His beloved disciples and instructed the crowds that gathered around Him in the beatitudes. He told them that it is the pure in heart who would see God.