The Bible word “mystery” is almost a mystery in its own right, because its meaning has reversed. When Jesus used it, it meant “a former secret now openly told.” Today, it refers to something difficult to grasp, understand or figure out.
It’s important for us to understand this because Jesus is clearly wanting to make His purposes clear to us. There’s nothing mysterious about what He’s wanting to say, to do, or to bring about.
The one qualification to understanding God’s way for you today or His will for your whole life is to listen. The parable of the seed and the soil (Matt. 13:2-9) precedes His promise to unfold “kingdom mysteries” to us. Its message is unmistakable: You must have ‘ears to hear’ (v. 9). Only then do we gain insight, understanding, and growth in fruitfulness (v. 12).
In this light, let us begin every day, praying words such as those so beautifully sung in this worship chorus: “Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.”
