A Swiss guy, looking for directions, pulls up at a bus stop where two
Americans are waiting.
"Entschuldigung, koennen Sie Deutsch
sprechen?" He says. The two Americans just stare at him.
"Excusez-moi, parlez vous Francais?" The two continue to stare.
"Parlare Italiano?" No response.
"Hablan ustedes Espanol?" Still
nothing.
The Swiss guy drives off, extremely disgusted.
The first American turns to the second and says, "Y'know, maybe we
should learn a foreign language . . ."
"Why?" says the other, "That
fellow knew four languages, and it didn't do him any good."
It's
true. Knowing a lot of languages is no guarantee that you can
communicate with someone (though it may increase your chances!). Even
Jesus, the great communicator, found that there were people who couldn't
understand what he was saying.
"Therefore I speak to them in
parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear,
nor do they understand . . ." (Matthew 13:13)
Why? It wasn't a
problem of languages; it was a problem of the heart.
"For the
hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing,
and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts
and turn, so that I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15)
Father,
there are times when I am so slow to understand what you would have me
to say and do. Though you speak clearly to me through your Word, my
heart is not always receptive to what you have to say. Please help me to
open my eyes and ears, and to get rid of everything that stands in the
way of me hearing your voice. In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great
day!
Alan Smith
alansmith.servant@PROTECTED
Understanding What God Says
Today's Bible Verse:
"For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard
of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with
their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with
their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." (Matthew 13:15)
Understanding What God Says
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