“This People’s Heart

Has Grown Dull”

Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 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 prophesy 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.’”

Matthew 13:10-15

Some of us believe with our minds and hands. The real question is where is our heart? Jesus noted the hearts of the people He was talking to had become dull. They were hard of hearing, and their eyes were closed. If they had opened their ears, opened their eyes, listened with their hearts, Jesus would have save them.

If we become callous, we find no joy in living or serving; and life seems hollow. But when our hearts are tender toward God, understanding and gratefulness flow through us to others.

We can become so busy doing good that we lose our heart for God.

Our Daily Bread – August 5, 2009