Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Matthew 13:16

But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

It brought a laugh to my mouth on more than one occasion. It became a comedy routine of the Three Stooges – Moe, Larry, and Curly. As well as I remember, the skit went something like this. Curly would complain that he could not see. Moe would ask why, then curly would admit he could not see because he had not opened his eyes. Yuk, yuk!! Moe would then slap both sides of his face, grab him by an ear and drag him to another slap-stick adventure.

In the longer reading, Matthew 13:10-17, the disciples ask Jesus why he teaches the crowds using parables. They understand, but Jesus explains the crowds do not understand without the use of parables. Jesus states that the prophecy of Isaiah has been fulfilled. The prophet said,

You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive. For this peoples heart has grown dull and their ears are hard of hearing; and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears and understand with their heart and turn – and I would heal them. – and I would heal them.

The first stanza of Open My Eyes that I May See is inspired by Matthew 13:16. Listen:

Open my eyes that I may see, glimpses of truth thou hast for me. Place in my hands the wonderful key, that shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Prayer

Creator God, we thank You for eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to respond. To show others the love we have experienced in being loved first and best by our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.