His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you always tell stories when you talk to the people?” 

That is why I tell these stories, because people see what I do, but they don’t really see. They hear what I say, but they don’t really hear, and they don’t understand. 

This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: ‘You will hear my words, but you will not understand; you will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ 

 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. (Matthew 13:10-16 NLT)

  • Jesus is known as a story teller – what’s he doing?
  • What’s the human need to which he is responding?
  • What is it about his audience’s religion that he’s dealing with in story?

Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" The reason I speak to them in parables is that 'seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.' 

With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: 'You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen 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. (Matthew 13:10-16 NRSV)

  • Where does this little quotation connect with us?
  • What can we do about it?
  • What’s Jesus’ desire for you tonight?
 

A Blessing As We Go

May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.

May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.

May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator,
Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Saviour,
and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide,
be with you and remain with you, this day and forevermore.

AMEN