Let me take you back to the beginning of
Jesus’ ministry and pull out some verses that will sort of wrap around what
Jesus is saying here and tie a bow on it. Matthew 4:23 says that - “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in
their synagogues, proclaiming the good
news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the
people.” Matthew 9:35 – “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in
their synagogues, proclaiming the good
news of the kingdom.” Luke 16:16 – “The Law and the Prophets were
proclaimed until John. Since that time,
the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached.” Matthew 6:10 –
“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven.” Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 10:7
– “As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven
has come near.” Over and over in the Parables Jesus repeated the words – “The kingdom of God is like…” So, my
question is “What was the focus of Jesus’ teaching and preaching?” The kingdom.
Luke 4:43 tells us – “But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of
God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” He has been doing this for nearly three years
now, and the people still don’t get it! In fact, the disciples are not really
sure that they get it! So, Jesus takes the time to fully explain the Parables
to them. He says “the knowledge of the
secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.” This begs the question, “Why?” Well it’s
an “eye, ear, and heart” issue! Listen again to the answer Jesus gave them to
their question – “Though seeing, they do
not see; though hearing, they
do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of
Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever
seeing but never perceiving. For this
people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear
with their ears, understand with their hearts.” The people were following
Jesus around, but they were not really seeking. Here is the first key to being
a seeker; Our hearts, souls, and minds must be filled with the desire to know
and love God completely; with no reservations. If we have this desire, then our
eyes will be fully open to see truth in God’s Word; our ears will be fully open
to hear all that is preached and taught through sermons and Bible studies; and
our hearts will be opened to understanding through the work of the Holy Spirit.
In Christian circles we call this a “hunger for God and His Word”.
It is when our “hunger and thirst for
righteousness” is filled by the life-giving understanding of the Holy Spirit,
that we are truly Blessed!
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