How often do you agree or disagree with someone without really knowing what he or she said? Whether it’s the confusion caused by language or words not understood, their accent or speed at which they talk, preconceived ideas or something else, we often go through life nodding in agreement, or shaking our head in disagreement, without really understanding what was being communicated.
Similarly, Jesus' disciples asked him, “Why do you teach in parables?” His response was less than clarifying, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them…blessed are your ears because they hear.” No doubt the disciples nodded in agreement but thought, “what are you talking about?!?” Eventually, some came to understand, but others never did. And yet, despite knowing not all would understand, Jesus’ hope was, “whoever has ears, let them hear.”
