We studied the Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Luke in my Bible fellowship Sunday. The question was raised in class - as it was to Jesus - why does he speak to the people in parables?
Jesus replied "I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand."
One thing that crossed my mind is this book called Magic Eye, which has lots of pictures in it that are actually encoded 3D images hidden behind a confusing foreground. If you train your eye to look through the picture you may eventually see a beautiful or haunting 3D image that is quite surprising from the appearance of the page. These types of pictures were quite popular in the late 20th century. I remember standing in front of posters like these when I was younger and never seeing anything! That was actually a bit embarrassing.
The hidden picture is a good illustration of how Jesus presented these parables, and how to understand the teachings in the Bible. Your ears must be attuned to hear the still small voice of God. The eyes of your heart must be opened to see the meaning as it applies to you. As Jesus said, "seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you." The beauty and depth of the hidden picture is only seen when you relax your eyes and look beyond the obvious foreground. The beauty and power of God's word is only seen when you seek Him with your whole heart.
This also a good illustration of the meaning of the Parable of the Sower. The seed that falls by the roadside is the word that falls on ears that aren't listening. The seed that falls on rocky soil is the word that falls on shallow lives and quickly fails. The seed that falls among thorns is the word that is eventually choked by a worldly mindset. Only the Living Word of God falling on willing ears and a heart that is open to change bears lasting fruit.
So that is my prayer for those who hear the word of God through me, that they will have ears to hear and eyes to see the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.
