30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 11 27-28 Hearing God's word and keeping it Keeping God's word 7
📖 Luke 11:27-28
Hearing to understand _Luke 11:27-28_
In order to keep God’s word, we must hear His word. This may sound needless to say but there is a world of a difference between listening and hearing, as we understand from God’s word. After teaching the crowd of the parable of the sower and the seed, our Lord enlightened them that they need to have ears to hear, what was taught them _Mark 4:9._
Hearing God’s word is about understanding, perception, implication and on how can God’s word be applied. When we teach or preach the word of God, it has to be taught and preached in a way to give understanding to the hearts and minds of the hearers and to also ensure that they will now know, how the word of God can be applied into their lives. Our Lord always taught in such a manner and not as giving a sermon.
After our Lord had taught the crowd the parable of the sower and the seed, a small group consisting of those around Him along with the twelve disciples, asked Him for the understanding of the parable _Mark 4:10._ Our Lord makes a distinction between this small group and the large crowd. He encouraged the small group saying, _(11)"To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, (12) so that 'SEEING THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND HEARING THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND; LEST THEY SHOULD TURN, AND THEIR SINS BE FORGIVEN THEM.' “ Mark 4:11-12._
_As we understand what our Lord is saying here, it truly frightens us that often we are part of the large crowds, isn’t it? When was the last time that you said, “I want a deeper understanding of the passage that I’m reading or hearing?”_ We take forgiveness for granted. Forgiveness is free but it is not cheap. God examines us to see if we have a seeking and searching heart, for His word.
The Lord confronted the small group as well, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” Mark 4:13._ He wants us to keep hungering and thirsting, for the understanding of His word.
Mysteries of the kingdom of God are given only to those, who hunger for His word _Matthew 13:11._ For those who have this passion for His word, more understanding of the kingdom of God will be given but to those, who are casual listeners and are not cultivating a thirst for the word of God, even the little understanding that they have, will be taken away from them _Matthew 13:12._
When we do not cultivate a hunger and thirst for God’s word, to hear and to understand, then our hearts will soon be callous and we will become hard of hearing, of God’s word _Matthew 13:13-15._ The blessed ones are those, who have cultivated a heart that longs for a deeper understanding of His word _Matthew 13:16._
*Thought to ponder*
```Those, who have had the benefit of listening to many preachers and teachers but have not received the word of God, sincerely, they will face stricter judgment Luke 12:48.```