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The Heart Is The Key

by John Tilton on April 26, 2021

Scripture

Matthew 13:10-17-"Then the disciples came and said to him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ And he answered them, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: ‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.’ ‘For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.' But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.’

Observation

I’ve read and pondered these scriptures before as to what is required in order to understand the parables so that we will “know the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven.” What sets those apart that we would hear, see, and understand. It then came to me so clear what Jesus was saying in that it is indeed a matter of the heart. In verse 15 he says that their heart and grown dull. So, it is about our heart, which opens up the secrets of heaven. But then, how do we then condition our heart to be like David, “a man after God’s heart?” Okay, it must be the intent of drawing close to Jesus, which means it is our time in His Word and prayer. I get it! It’s not just having the desire to understand Jesus through the parables. We need to put in the time with Him in the Word and prayer which are the doorways that draw us closer to Jesus and thus condition our hearts for Him.

Application

I so desire to have the heart of David and be a man after God’s own heart. I know that I must make the effort in His Word and authentic sincere heartfelt prayer. Wishing and intent are being hopeful. Following through with action is the key to God’s heart. Dreams are only fulfilled when we pursue and follow our dreams.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the clarity of why you spoke in parables and how I can gain the secrets of heaven to receive all that has destined for me. May I be reminded to turn my desire and intent into action through your Word and my prayer life.

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