In Luke 8 Jesus Christ traveled from one town and village to another proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus was accompanied by the twelve disciples and some women who He had cured of evil spirits and diseases. The women ministered to the Lord from their own substances.
Christ Jesus then told a parable to His hearers. The parable of The Sower. He then said, ” whoever has ears to hear, let them hear”. The disciples did not understand the parable and asked Jesus to explain it. This was the case in Nehemiah 8 also, when the book of the Law was read. The people said “Amen”, without a clue as to what it meant until Ezra explained it to them clearly. Only then where they able to receive, digest and bring up fruit of repentance.
How often do we hear the word of God and it profit us nothing? Some of us have been following the Lord for decades, hearing with ears quite alright, but devoid of understanding. Why devoid of understanding?
For one, the Word of God according to Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The Word of God is a two edged sword. It is meant to transform, to change, turn things upside down, down upwards. If we have been with the Lord for a while and our heart has not changed, if our minds have not been renewed, even when things around us have changed, then I doubt if we understand the good news of the gospel.
Luke 8:10 “He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand”.
This shows that we can hear, know about something, yet not understand it. It then will not profit us, for it is only after we have heard, know and understand that what we have heard can nourish and produce fruits typical of a regenerated soul.
There is a difference then in hearing, acquiring knowledge and understanding.
- Hearing – You can hear without understanding
- Knowledge – You can know about something without understanding it.
- Understanding – You cannot understand anything without hearing and knowing.
It is thus, the understanding of what you are hearing and have knowledge about that will yield and can produce results, that will bring about transformational change from within.
Except we understand the greatest commandment, we cannot be regenerated and transformed to the image of Christ Jesus.
Matthew 22: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Whatever we are doing, if it cannot pass through this filter unscathed, then it is not worthwhile, it is of no eternal reward, be it paying tithe, worship, activities, service, “working” for God, whatever!!
Father Lord, give us understanding. Help us Sovereign God to understand your every word so that it may profit our soul in Jesus mighty name. Amen
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Radiant Glory Of Love 