Our paragraph topic is: (The disciples ask why He speaks in parables) Part 5.
Oh, what a joy it is for those who know, for they are blessed. Oh, what happiness it is for those who have, for they are blessed. Oh, what peace it is for those who see, for they are loved. For these are the ones who have been called by God to carry the message of the kingdom of heaven. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son to redeem mankind. And such a great love it is that one would die for. But many do not see. Many do not hear. Many are blinded by the glitter of the world. Many are caught up in the tragedy of life that they do not know that life is not of this world but of a heavenly kingdom.
Christ is saddened by what he sees. He is concerned by what they do. He is understanding of who they are. But they do not understand. He reaches a hand out to help them but they do not receive it. He provides words of life but they do not drink them. He gives justification from the curse but they do not want it. They are lost and led by the evil one. They are blinded and told they see. They are deaf and can only hear those words of the devil and the calling of the world. The prophecy is fulfilled and made known. They did not hear. They did not see. They did not open their hearts to let him in because the evil one held them fast.
Christ tells his disciples, blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears for they hear. The riches of the wonders that their eyes beheld, they knew not completely until they received the Holy Spirit. Then, they truely knew of the glory of Christ. Their eyes beheld and they knew the wonders that he performed and were able to see them. Their ears heard his words and they were able to perceive them in their hearts. But it was not until they received the Holy Spirit that they knew without a doubt that he was the Son of the one true God. And within themselves they were able to perceive their true nature and their true identity. No longer did they suffer the wonders of this life. No longer did they seek the riches of this world. For they had already receive the riches of the kingdom of heaven and nothing could turn them from their reward. Nothing could turn them from the gift.
We, each of us, are given a gift, today. The gift of sight, the gift of sound, the gift of the heart, must be received in order for it to be given. One must seek it. One must desire it. One must know within, that this is the desire of one's heart. Otherwise the gift is not accepted. The gift is not received completely. Otherwise, the gift is wasted and will not produce fruit. Some will produce 30% of the time and 70% of the time they will be lost in the world. Some will produce 60% of the time and the other 40% will be available for the evil one to capture. Then there are those who truely accept the gift and receive it 100% of the time and produce fruit all the time. Blessed are they who have fruit to feed those that are hungry, the fruit of peace, the fruit of love, the fruit of hope, the fruit of humility. These are the gifts that come from the original giver and are grown in us through our seed. The Holy Spirit will cultivate you. The Holy Spirit will water you. The Holy Spirit will provide sun for you. Why do you not receive Him?
Oh, what a joy it is for those who know, for they are blessed. Oh, what happiness it is for those who have, for they are blessed. Oh, what peace it is for those who see, for they are loved. For these are the ones who have been called by God to carry the message of the kingdom of heaven. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son to redeem mankind. And such a great love it is that one would die for. But many do not see. Many do not hear. Many are blinded by the glitter of the world. Many are caught up in the tragedy of life that they do not know that life is not of this world but of a heavenly kingdom.
Christ is saddened by what he sees. He is concerned by what they do. He is understanding of who they are. But they do not understand. He reaches a hand out to help them but they do not receive it. He provides words of life but they do not drink them. He gives justification from the curse but they do not want it. They are lost and led by the evil one. They are blinded and told they see. They are deaf and can only hear those words of the devil and the calling of the world. The prophecy is fulfilled and made known. They did not hear. They did not see. They did not open their hearts to let him in because the evil one held them fast.
Christ tells his disciples, blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears for they hear. The riches of the wonders that their eyes beheld, they knew not completely until they received the Holy Spirit. Then, they truely knew of the glory of Christ. Their eyes beheld and they knew the wonders that he performed and were able to see them. Their ears heard his words and they were able to perceive them in their hearts. But it was not until they received the Holy Spirit that they knew without a doubt that he was the Son of the one true God. And within themselves they were able to perceive their true nature and their true identity. No longer did they suffer the wonders of this life. No longer did they seek the riches of this world. For they had already receive the riches of the kingdom of heaven and nothing could turn them from their reward. Nothing could turn them from the gift.
We, each of us, are given a gift, today. The gift of sight, the gift of sound, the gift of the heart, must be received in order for it to be given. One must seek it. One must desire it. One must know within, that this is the desire of one's heart. Otherwise the gift is not accepted. The gift is not received completely. Otherwise, the gift is wasted and will not produce fruit. Some will produce 30% of the time and 70% of the time they will be lost in the world. Some will produce 60% of the time and the other 40% will be available for the evil one to capture. Then there are those who truely accept the gift and receive it 100% of the time and produce fruit all the time. Blessed are they who have fruit to feed those that are hungry, the fruit of peace, the fruit of love, the fruit of hope, the fruit of humility. These are the gifts that come from the original giver and are grown in us through our seed. The Holy Spirit will cultivate you. The Holy Spirit will water you. The Holy Spirit will provide sun for you. Why do you not receive Him?
