Matthew 13:15, "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."  

Maybe you are familiar with the following phrases:  "People do what they want to do."  "People hear what they want to hear."  And, "The majority of those to whom you speak don't care to hear about Jesus."  

Today's verse cuts right to the heart of society’s problem. We have a heart problem.  Our heart, Jesus said, "is waxed gross."  This refers to their heart growing fat and inhibited.  Sin causes a person to be full of themself, and before you know it, you might hear but not listen, you might see, but it doesn't impress you as being important. Understanding is something that is primarily processed through the senses of hearing and seeing.  Yes, our other senses could also impact our lives but the heart is ministered to primarily through the eye gate and the ear gate.  Because the heart is waxed gross people fail to be converted, which in turn leads to spiritual decline and death.   

Who is the one in life who is blessed? Verse 16, "...blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."  Those who see and hear are blessed with an understanding heart, which leads to conversion, which brings healing.  

I want to encourage you to keep your eyes and ears receptive in the Lord's House.  God will use the things you see and hear to minister to your needs.  And don't forget to pray that God will break every heart that is hard and calloused.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1. How would you rate the current condition of your heart?

2. What has impressed you most in the last day about God and spiritual matters?

3. How have you responded to incorporate Bible truth into your daily lifestyle?