Key: SCHAFF: “When the Lord open his mouth, we should open our ears and hearts”
Reasons for speaking in parables continues. Matt. 13:10-17.
“Seeing, hearing and understanding are necessary to conversion for God, in working grace,
deals with men as men, as rational agents he draws with the cords of man, changes the
heart by opening the eyes, and turns from the power of Satan unto God, by turning first from
darkness to light” M. Henry.
- Matt. 13:13. ”Therefore speak I to them in parables :because they seeing see not;
and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand “
a. Shutting one’s eyes against the clear light of the gospel. This involves seeing
evidences with even signs and wonders and yet rejecting the truth. Lk. 7:30-32,
Matt. 11:20-24. Capernaum was regular place where Jesus preached and
performed many miracles, Mk. 1:21-28; 2:1-13, Matt. 4:13-24; 8:5-17 it was
where Peter’s in-laws house was located, yet they rejected the message.
b. Hearing the sound of the gospel in simple and clear languages with practical
examples in and around people, yet the message never reaches the heart. Ez.
12:2, Zech. 7:11, 2Tim. 4:3-4.This is the time when people no longer listen to
sound and wholesome teachings.
c. The natural man has a darkened understanding Eph. 4:17-19, the religionist who
depend on the Law of the Old Testament has a veil that make them blind 2Cor.
3:14, and the god of the world also place his part in darkening the eyes of all
unbelievers. 2Cor. 4:4. Everyone grope for the wall like the blind Is. 59:10. - Matt. 13:14-15 “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaias, which says, By hearing
ye shall hear and not understand…For the peoples heart is waxed gross and their
ears are dull of hearing…” Is. 6:9-10. This was spoken of the Israelites in Isaias’s
times and is still being fulfilled today.
a. The peoples heart is waxed gross it is fattened. Ps. 119:70, Deut. 32:15. “Thus
less sensitive to impressions, and less lively in its movement, with a resulting
dullness of the senses, so that it strikingly represents a dull, stupid, and
insensitive mind” Broadus John A.
b. Men can stop their hears from hearing Ps. 58:4-5, because they love darkness
more than light. Jn. 3:19. They can willingly close their minds 2Pet. 3:5
c. God will not strive with men Gen. 6:3, and as long as he has chosen to reject the
truth, he will give them to delusion Ps. 81:11-12, Is. 66:4, 2Thess. 2:10-12.
It continues.
