Week 2- TEACHING:
20/20 Vision
– Tabitha Blessum
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Matthew 13:18-23, ESV
When I was in high school, I took two years of Spanish. Since then, I have let my knowledge of the language fall into complete neglect and disuse. My Spanish vocabulary today is now limited to about ten words. Although the “good seed” of the Spanish language was planted in me and sprang up quickly with joy, it had no root, and quickly withered! Without the consistency and commitment that is necessary for growth, I made myself completely incompetent at the subject and disqualified myself from enjoying its benefits. The same thing can occur in our spiritual life.
There have been times when I sat down to read the Bible, and though my eyes were scanning the words, my heart and mind were not absorbing or understanding them. Yet, the Lord is willing to heal us of our blindness and our deafness. One day, tired of shallow skimming, I remember asking the Lord to explain to me what He meant by a specific verse in scripture which—though the statement was clear—I did not understand:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
Matthew 13:44, ESV
I’ve read that verse countless times, but this time I sat pondering it. I determined not to move on in my reading until the meaning was revealed. And then it hit me, very suddenly. The reign of God requires that you give up everything you have in order to be a part of it. But that is okay, because it was worth more than everything you had in the first place.
The secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven have been uttered. All day long, the Lord offers himself to us. Let us no longer shut our eyes and close up our ears. He is able and willing to instruct each one of us, so ask him to! Doesn’t he give good gifts to his children? Across all cultural barriers, in any language, at any level of scholarship, and at any time, the Spirit of God will illuminate to those who are hungry for the Kingdom of God. The good seed will either wither or yield a crop, so treasure his mysteries above all else.