Father, You have prepared mysteries to be revealed
to those who seek You with their whole hearts.
Give me eyes to see and ears to hear,
that I may see and hear and know the secrets of Heaven.
Shine Your Light upon me and dispel all darkness
Series Focus: “Thy Kingdom Come”
Who loves a good mystery? Whether its the new novel or a fresh detective series, mysteries drive in the ratings. The challenge of cracking the case; the crescendo of confusion and conflict; the thrill of suspense; discovering the inside scoop… All this and more attract droves to mysteries. A story unravels in every mystery told. Truth is realized. The unknown becomes known.
Decoding mysteries requires commitment to details, persistent pursuit of facts, and relentless focus.
Did you know there are mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus taught about them in Matthew 13:10-13:
And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Jesus taught in parables – stories with hidden meanings or deeper lessons. Mysteries. And He told the disciples they were allowed to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. However, not everyone would. At first reading, this sounds unfair. Why would the disciples be allowed to know the mysteries, but not others?
To understand this mystery, we must investigate further. The disciples forsook all to follow Jesus. They spent quality time with Him, listening, learning, asking questions, and growing in truth. They sacrificed time, allowing their lives to be transformed by the revelation they heard. The secrets of the Kingdom came alive for them as they sought Jesus and served Him.
Some in the crowd only casually listened as they passed on by. Others perhaps only saw what they want to see and heard what they want to hear—allowing their own thoughts and experiences to influence their understanding. Many become set in their opinions and agendas, causing them to be unteachable. These are they who will see, but not see, and hear, but not understand.
God wants to reveal His truths – His mysteries – to us. He wants us to know the inside scoop of the Kingdom of Heaven. We have a part to play. We can’t just casually approach God, only allowing Him to brush against the surface of our hearts. No, God desires us to seek Him with our whole hearts. Scriptures confirm this:
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3).
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things (Proverbs 28:5).
In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him (Ephesians 1:9).
“He reveals mysteries from the darkness and brings the deep darkness into light” (Job 12:22).
Do you enjoy a good mystery? The Kingdom of Heaven has the best mysteries ever! Let’s unravel these mysteries—allow the Light of Heaven to pierce the dark corners of our souls—and grow in revelation as we seek the Lord with our whole hearts.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Matthew 13:10-17; Job 12:22; Daniel 2:29; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Ephesians 1:7-10, 3:1-7
