Eyes of Faith
Scripture Reading — Matthew 13:10-17
“Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.”
—Matthew 13:16
Jesus was a bit of a puzzle to his followers. Why didn’t he just spell out what he was up to? Why did he hide his message?
Jesus knew that many of the people were expecting the Messiah to act in big and obvious ways: they expected a new king who would sit on David’s throne, overthrow the Romans, and bring his people into a new kingdom.
But Jesus wanted to open their eyes and ears to see and hear what God was actually doing.
For those with eyes and ears of faith, Jesus had come to bring a kingdom far bigger than one ruled from a capital city.
Faced with short-sighted people who could not see, Elisha prayed that others would see what he could see. He prayed that God would stop the evil that was planned. He prayed that those who would do harm would see their mistake and change their plans. God answered Elisha’s prayers. (See 2 Kings 6:8-23.)
A prophet is a prayer warrior because a prophet knows there is more power in a single prayer—God’s power—than in all the chariots and horses of any king. We too can claim the power of God-centered prayer.
Whose eyes can we pray may be opened? What hearts can we pray may be filled? What evil can we pray may be stopped?
How can we help others see Jesus as we do?
Lord, open the eyes of all who do not see you, and open shuttered ears to hear your words of grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Thea Leunk
Thea Nyhoff Leunk has been a high school English teacher, a director of Christian education, a pastor of discipleship, and a regional coach for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. She is currently the senior pastor at Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thea has also written courses for teens and young adults on world religions, Christian faith traditions, and science and the Bible. She and her husband have three adult children.
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