"Then He spoke many things to them in parables...." (Matthew 13:3)
The disciples asked Jesus what so many have asked over the centuries, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" The answer seems a bit perplexing to many, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given....In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding....For this people's heart has become calloused....'" What occurred to me again this morning is that God did not "design" us for a casual relationship with and in the Godhead.
There is a "pressing in" aspect to relationship in the Blessed Trinity. A, "calloused," heart is a heart which lacks "focus," a heart which is self-consumed, always looking out for only its own interest and whatever and whomever can help them get through and get the most out of their life. These are they who wish that God spoke in an audible voice, telling them what to do every day, e.g., His "will" (if they were so inclined), do this, do that, this is why I do this and that. In such a creation, there would be no "seeking" involved, another "characteristic" of the Godhead, "And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart", or, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek after...." In short, Jesus calls us into relationship in which He is not an afterthought.
The disciples asked Jesus what so many have asked over the centuries, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" The answer seems a bit perplexing to many, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given....In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding....For this people's heart has become calloused....'" What occurred to me again this morning is that God did not "design" us for a casual relationship with and in the Godhead.
There is a "pressing in" aspect to relationship in the Blessed Trinity. A, "calloused," heart is a heart which lacks "focus," a heart which is self-consumed, always looking out for only its own interest and whatever and whomever can help them get through and get the most out of their life. These are they who wish that God spoke in an audible voice, telling them what to do every day, e.g., His "will" (if they were so inclined), do this, do that, this is why I do this and that. In such a creation, there would be no "seeking" involved, another "characteristic" of the Godhead, "And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart", or, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek after...." In short, Jesus calls us into relationship in which He is not an afterthought.
Now some would call this a "work" religion. It is not. Who in their right mind would want a relationship with someone that is a one-way pursuit? You call them, but they never call you. You do everything for them, but never even a, Thank you. You tell them how much you love them, appreciate them, have done everything you can for them, and all you get is a blank stare. This is the majority of humanity's life style throughout the centuries.
Not so, you and I. We read, "the Words of God," looking, "searching," wanting to know Him "better," more fully. We want to know what Jesus has for us, not what we can get out of Him for our own ends. If understanding seems to be difficult in coming, perhaps the reason is that Jesus wants us to, "Come to Me....Follow Me," so that, "....that where I am, there you may be also." It is not, Where you are, there I may be also. Some may find this statement difficult to accept, but I rather have it that I am where Jesus is, than Jesus is where I am. It's a matter of priority, pressing His way, not mine, seeking His purposes until His purposes/will becomes mine. No need for, "dark sayings," for such a people.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that my friend and I can have greater understanding in this. Amen.
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You know my "prophetic" belief concerning the European Union. The new article on our Blog site reveals just what is going on in Europe: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
