“But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16)
Despite being despised and rejected by the great and wise men of His day, Jesus took great delight in being known by a “little flock” of nobodies. “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Luke 10:21)
Blessed eyes see what’s hidden. They don’t see as man sees; they have God’s perspective. “… For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7) Jesus knew His destiny. He would hang on a cross – deemed by men to be accursed of God. There would be no outward beauty to attract; no smashing success to validate. The last sign He would leave them would be the sign of the prophet Jonah. Even His most loyal followers would lose heart while He was in the midst of the earth. “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.” (Luke 24:21)
What is it that opens the eyes of the blind? Blessed eyes depend upon blessed ears. Only those who have ears to hear have eyes to see. “And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:31,32)
So it will always be. Blessed eyes do not stumble at the folly and weakness of the cross. They don’t count success as men do. Obedience to God, even obedience unto death, is their measure of success. What men view as a waste, a failure to fulfill one’s mission, a premature end to a promising life, is seen as a finished work and the glorious prelude to an eternal ministry.
Of all the blessings you could hope for from God – desire blessed eyes and blessed ears. They will cause you to embrace your lovely Lord in all His fullness, and they will help you take up the cross He has for you.