Blessed to Know

Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the same who has, it is given, and abundantly, but away from the one who has not, and what he has is taken away. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:10‭-‬13

Jesus said this is why he spoke to the people in parables, "because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." Also saying "to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it is not been given." If we know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, it has been given therefore is a gift and the boasting is not in ourselves but in the Lord. To know the mysteries of the kingdom is something given, it is a blessing.

... but away from the one who has not, and what he has is taken away ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭13:13)

If someone doesn't have then it has not been given to them. But if they do not have it how can it be taken away? We have some insight into this when we read the scriptures in context. Jesus is speaking a parable about the kingdom of God called the parable of sowing.

First, we know what is being sown is the word of God and in those whom the seed takes root, there is understanding (and as we have seen this is given by God to know), and the one who understands will overcome and mature so as to bear fruit, some thirty, sixty, and some hundredfold (Mathew 13:19,21,29). To know the mysteries of the kingdom of God comes through understanding and this is a gift from God. This would be equivalent to receiving wisdom that matures one so that they bear fruit, having received the implanted word of God in meekness (James 1).

Hear then the parable of the sower! Anyone hearing the word of the kingdom and does not understand, the evil one comes and snatches away that sown in his heart... (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:13)

They do not have because they do not hear, see, and understand. The word of God is sown in the heart but because there is no understanding (it has not been given to them to know the mysteries of the kingdom) it is hard ground. Thus Jesus spoke in parables because only to those whom it had been given would they have understanding. The seed is sown, but the evil one like a bird comes and snatches it away, thus what they had been given, the seed of the word of God, is taken away.

... Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not been given. For to the same who has, it is given, and abundantly,...

To those who have understanding, it is given and they will be given more, abundantly. But to those who do not have what they had (the seed that would produce growth) is taken away.

Now, I believe in election by grace, but whether we are Calvinists or Armenian in our views doesn't really matter, you were chosen by God. He has blessed you with all the spiritual blessings in the heavenlies... and chose you to make known to you the mysteries of his will (Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11, 17-18).

All has been given to us for life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus. Understanding is not a one-time receiving, we are given and given more through the knowledge of him. Thus we continuously receive through a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing more of Him, as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of him.

... but away from the one who has not, and what he has is taken away...

If we sow the word and they do not believe or have understanding, the seed is not planted, it is taken away. We might reason at least we planted a seed so the next person that comes along will water or nourish it but that is not what Jesus said in this case, it is snatched away, and what they had is taken away. Maybe the next person or your next sowing God will give understanding. The first case in the parable of sowing, where the seed falls on hard soil and is snatched away, obviously can be applied to unbelievers.

But I believe each applies to a believer. Just today God said he would bless me through a message (which I have learned means he wants to bless me with understanding, the kind of wisdom that matures) and as I was listening all of a sudden this thought entered my mind and distracted me. I quickly realized it was the devil trying to snatch away the seed and keep it from being planted in my heart so that I would miss the blessing. Of course, God is faithful to his children, as I have learned he will sow that seed again so it does get planted, but it is also obvious the devil wants to steal it.

but blessed are your eyes because you see and your ears because you hear. I tell you the truth many prophets and righteous people longed to see that which you see but did not see them and hear which you hear and did not hear them (Mathew 13:16-17)

God has blessed us with so many spiritual blessings in Christ and he continues to open our eyes and bless us in wisdom and understanding of the spiritual things of God. We are blessed to see and hear these things, God has chosen us to make known the mysteries of the kingdom of God. The word sown is like a tiny mustard seed, when planted and rooted, it grows to maturity becoming the largest garden plant. It is a mature seed producing tree. And the birds sit on its branches, which is quite the contrast from birds snatching the seed away.

All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world" (Mathew 13:34-35)

Blessed are those who see and hear and understand, for to "you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," that "hidden in God since the foundation of the world." Blessed are you to know and understand, what a precious gift has been given to you.

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