April 26, 2019: SOAP #3431:  2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 13:15 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 and turn, and I would heal them.’

Observation: Here we have the bottom line.  This is why they are in such a predicament.  Their hearts are hard!  Hearing comes through the ears, but the message is understood in the heart.  Seeing comes through the eyes, but the understanding of what is seen is in the heart.  Our five senses keep us in touch with the world around us, but our heart must be sensitive to the Lord in order to process that information and make application to life.

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 13:16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

Observation: But those to whom Jesus was talking are not like the others.  They are blessed because they really see with their eyes, and really hear with their ears.

Application: Although Jesus does not say it specifically, it is clear from the context:  The disciples did not have better ears, or better eyes.  It was the condition of their heart!   Their heart was tender and sensitive to spiritual truth.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I want a tender heart that is sensitive to spiritual things.  Only then will I be able to process the information taken in by my five senses.  I want to see things and understand them the way you do.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!