Even More

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 13:10,11

Of all the people who heard Jesus speak the parables of the sower, it was the disciples who came to Him and asked Him about what He just spoke.  But they didn't ask Him about the meaning of the parables.  They were more interested in why He was speaking in parables in the first place.  This time, He didn't respond with a curve ball, as He was often known to do (reference John 4, Matthew 12:43, etc.)  Rather, this time He replied directly "the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them."  Explaining still more, He references Isaiah 6:9,10.

"Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
    be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed."

Calloused hearts, dull ears and closed eyes - these are the fruits of those who hear, shrug their shoulders and walk away.  Father shuts the minds of those who don't want to know, or be known.  But to those who wrestle with Him, as Jacob wrestled the Angel (Genesis 32:22-32), Jesus blesses with the gift of revelation.

To such as these have been given the secrets of the kingdom.  And even more.

Passion's Cost

what price sun and moon
of wind and rain
what price Your pain
what price tree and sky
what price You and i

these days we spend
temporal, mortal
yet in in-between
gives fleeting glance upon
what endures forever

this price, Your passion

- revel8r, 7/30/18 -

Inferno

when fire has no flame

when paper has no ink

for the writer has no pen

then strike the flint, tend the spark

the words will flow

to the rhythm of all He knows

and coals will hold again

the inferno of all I Am

- revel8r, 7/28/18 -

A Being More

lead on to seas beyond what we perceive

to sure footing beyond our solid ground

to wind beyond what licks our skin today

let crowns and robes be as they may

there is a way, a being more

than the rank and rancor of mortal men

- revel8r, 7/26/18 -

A Mystery for the Angels

what lies beyond this glistening veil

what lies beyond these temporal chains

the strains that pull

between now and tomorrow's shores

pull me on as the moon upon the tide

- revel8r, 7/24/18 -

Yours

all this is Yours

the oceans and the waves

the mountains and the trees

all this is yours

the shadows and the sun

the stillness and the breeze

I bequeath to thee

through the blood of My Son

the Creator of these

- revel8r, 7/24/18 -

Family

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12:48, 49 

It takes more than seeing or hearing to have a relationship.  Relating to someone with depth requires perceiving, listening, and responding.  That's when a friendship begins to grow.  That's how families get close.

From the point of the Sermon on the Mount until now, Jesus had been revealing Himself to the people through powerful teaching, miracles and healings.  All were amazed.  Some reacted by rejecting Him.  But some had responded and were truly in relationship with Him.

For those who simply wanted the show - to see the signs or to hear the next hot words - Jesus had harsh words.  His life in skin was not simply to show how mighty He was(is), every interaction with the people was an invitation for people to respond to Him - to become His family and to relate to Him, especially as obedient children.

We must not be ones who simply see or hear Him from afar.  It is critical that we respond and relate to Him.  This is how the family grows.