Friday, September 15, 2017
Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
LIGHT FOR THE BLIND
Why does the Light never really shine in some people? The Lord Jesus began the Parable of the Sower and the Seed with the explanation above. There are times when people hear the Good News of what Jesus has done for them, but never quite get it, and before they can "get it," the Wicked One, Satan, like a bird swooping down to nab a seed, takes away the opportunity to believe. It's similar to what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4):
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
We are here told that those who do not believe and who are as a result perishing, heading for eternal death, have been blinded, so that they don't see the Light. Why don't they see the Light? Is it because God doesn't want them to see and believe and be saved! Certainly Not! Their minds have been blinded from seeing Jesus' glory as Savior and God by one who is called "the god of this age" and the "ruler of this world."
Who is the "god of this age"? It is the Devil, that fallen angel who deceives the whole world (cf. Revelation 12:9-12, "Ruler of this world," John 12:31, 14:30, "Prince of the power of the air," Ephesians 2:2). We can see clearly then, that if someone does not believe, it is the fault of Satan.
Is it in any way God's fault? It is not. But the fact that many are blinded to the Light (the Good News of what Christ has done) by Satan, shows why our task, our message, is so vitally important. The Gospel message we proclaim has the power to change hearts, but only if we proclaim it -- and risk being laughed at and persecuted.
God grant us boldness to do so!
