TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

Whoever has ears, let them hear.” The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Matthew 13:9–11

DEVOTIONAL

by Stephanie Reloj

“He who has ears, let him hear.” These words hold a profound truth—a truth that transcends mere physical hearing. Jesus understood that true comprehension, true belief, required more than just auditory perception. It demanded spiritual receptivity—a heart softened and opened by the grace of God.

Despite the multitude that heard Jesus teach, only a few truly grasped the significance of His message. Jesus lamented that many hearts remained dull, resistant to the transformative power of His words. Yet, amidst this spiritual blindness, there were those whom God granted the grace to understand—the disciples who earnestly sought wisdom from their Master.

In this, we see the divine mystery of grace at work. While some may question why God did not grant understanding to all, Jesus reminds us that the invitation to seek understanding was open to all. Anyone who heard the parable had the opportunity to approach Jesus, to inquire, to seek illumination. Yet, it was only the disciples who seized this opportunity, demonstrating their hunger for spiritual truth.

Jesus contrasts this with the prophets of old, who longed for the revelation of the Messiah but did not live to see His coming. Even among those who witnessed Jesus’ miraculous deeds, there were many who failed to recognize Him as the promised Messiah.

But to the disciples, God lavished His grace, unveiling the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. It was through their humble inquiry and their willingness to learn that they received spiritual insight beyond what many others had grasped.

 

PRAYER