Are we stuck in our relationship with the Lord where we listen and hear what we want not what He says? I truly believe that God’s word is specifically for us and all that is in it is for us to learn and use to live. This takes us seeking to learn it and understand it. We can’t hope that all the pieces will fall into place if we are not willing to study our life manual constantly.
In verse 14 Jesus says, “This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘when you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.”
We are here to glorify God in all we do and Jesus came to show us how to do this. All He did was good and all He said is truth, we must open God’s word and ask for understanding and wisdom so we can listen and hear as Jesus is challenging us to do.
Verse 15 says, “For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes – so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.”
Does this sound like us in our walk? Do we want to hear and see and listen to what we want to so we don’t turn to Christ and learn? We might say we want to, but then our actions keep us from living a full life in Christ.
Jesus said to His disciples in Luke chapter 6 verses 22-23, “What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.”
Can we surrender to Jesus and be excited when we are hated because we love Him and not the world? We need to make sure we don’t fall into the trap of mediocrity and feel that church and the basic things are enough. We are called to be different and set apart, open God’s word and learn it so well that you work hard to live it out everyday. And when the hard situations come up you know where to turn; God’s word and you choose right because your heart can understand. Amen