"Open My Eyes"!

Legend has it that a certain college philosophy professor asked only one question on his final exam. He picked up a chair, put it on his desk, and wrote on the board, "Using everything we have learned this semester, prove that this chair does not exist." The students dug deep and wrote like crazy for a whole hour, some of them churning out thirty pages of heady philosophical debate and logic. But one student turned in his paper after less than a minute. It turned out he was the only one to get an "A." What did he write so quickly that turned out to be just the right answer? "What chair?" [source: "Strange World," Campus Life, Vol. 53, no.6]

I appreciate the parables of Jesus. Those stories placed in every day settings, but containing spiritual implications, help me remember the points Jesus desired to get across. However, when Jesus was asked why He spoke in parables ( Matthew 13:10), remember His response.

We read. . .
"(13) This is why I speak to them in parables, because SEEING THEY DO NOT SEE, and HEARING THEY DO NOT HEAR, nor do they understand. (14) Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: 'You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. (15) For THIS PEOPLE'S HEART HAS GROWN DULL, and with their ears they can barely hear, and THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'" ( Matthew 13:13-15 ESV)

Some, regardless of the evidence or proof, will NOT SEE what they do NOT WANT TO SEE! When a man who had been born blind was healed by Jesus, there were attempts to dismiss the miracle. (i.e. John 9:9 and 18) Then, even though the miracle could not be denied, there was still A REFUSAL TO SEE Jesus for Who He was (and is). Though they claimed to see ( John 9:40-41), they were suffering the WORST BLINDNESS possible; a hardness of heart that REFUSED TO SEE the truth right in front of their eyes!

May we nurture the desire of the psalmist who prayed, "OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY BEHOLD WONDROUS THINGS OUT OF YOUR LAW." ( Psalm 119:18 ESV) Rather than seeing only what we want to see, let us be OPEN TO SEEING all the Lord desires to reveal to us. That is vision that will bring blessings beyond that which is seen.

Have a great day SIGHTED FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING!
Carl

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