understanding

 This week we begin worship with:

Matthew 13:12–14

For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but

from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 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. 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.”

Privately with His disciples, Jesus would explain a parable.  They needed the help and so do we.  Here, following the public teaching of the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9), Jesus first gives this, the meat of the parable, which is still very tough to chew on.  He then breaks it down into the baby food that they all needed (and so do we!).

Our call to worship describes two groups:

Matthew 13:19

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.

Matthew 13:23

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.”

Notice please what divides the two groups.  It is not their faith, nor their works.  It is their "understanding" (syniēmi).  It is the sovereign preparation of the ground that determines the outcome.  

As we sing today "All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near", please do indeed do so with "glad adoration"!