LET ME TELL YOU A SECRET
MATTHEW 13:9-12
MATTHEW 13:9-12 NKJ
9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Typically, when someone wants to share a secret with me, I brace myself. Usually, it's bad news about someone else, which is garden variety gossip.
But when Jesus is talking in this passage, He is letting His disciples in on a secret. He said it had been given to them to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. The word mysteries is actually better rendered as a secret or hidden truth. Jesus is not gossiping. He is letting his disciples know a hidden truth into how the kingdom of heaven works.
The secret or hidden truth Jesus was sharing had to do with principles of sowing and reaping. In this chapter 13, the focus was on sowing God's word into our hearts. Jesus revealed hidden truths about bearing fruit as a believer and the obstacles that keep us from being productive. This sowing God's word is a major theme and a secret of God's kingdom. But there is another hidden truth in this passage. Who gets to hear these great secrets of God's kingdom? Only those who have a heart, a desire, to know. Jesus said he who has ears to hear let him hear. The one with a desire to hear will get to hear more. The one who really doesn't care will not retain what he has heard.
That's a big, big hidden truth. We have a major part to play in what we receive from God.
APPLICATION
God is totally fair and does not play favorites. He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. He is merciful to all, but He rewards those who come His way. And the great news is that all of us can seek God. All of us can stir ourselves up to hear what He says to us in His word, by His Spirit, and by the people He puts in our lives.
The hungry get satisfied. The full He never force feeds. (Luke 1:53) Clayton translation.
We can have ears to hear. We want to know more about how God's kingdom operates. Because His kingdom is more powerful and eternal than anything earth can offer.
So let me tell you a secret - stay hungry, my friends.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I desire to know more about You and Your kingdom. Please open my eyes and ears to what is available to me.