HAPPY EYES AND EARS

January 18

Bible Reading: Matthew 13

Helen Keller was only two years old when an illness struck her blind and deaf.  Unable to communicate with the outside world, her life was filled with a hopeless despair so great that one can only imagine.  Miss Anne Sullivan was brought to assist her and worked patiently to break through the darkness.  One day she and “Teacher”—as Helen always called her—went to the outdoor pump.  Miss Sullivan started to draw water and put Helen’s hand under the spout.  As the cool water gushed over one hand, she spelled into the other hand the word “w-a-t-e-r” first slowly, then rapidly.  Suddenly, the signals had meaning in Helen’s mind.  She knew that “water” meant the wonderful cool substance flowing over her hand.  Quickly, she stopped and touched the earth and demanded its letter name and by nightfall she had learned 30 words.  Helen later wrote of the experiences of that day: “As we continued to the house every object which I touched quivered with life.  That was because I saw everything with a strange, new sight that had come to me.  It would have been difficult to find a happier child than I was as I lay in my crib… and for the first time longed for a new day to come.”  Such is the spiritual experience of every newly born child of God when eyes and ears are opened to behold the Truth!

Matthew chapter 13 records several parables Jesus taught regarding the nature of the Kingdom.  The disciples asked him why he taught in parables, and Jesus explained (Matthew 13:10-17).  He told them that those having ears to hear would understand, but those without wouldn’t.  This was to fulfill what was prophesied by Isaiah: “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive” (Matthew 13:14; Isaiah 6:9).  “But blessed are your eyes,” he said to His disciples, “because they see, and your ears, because they hear” (Matthew 13:16).  The term “blessed” can otherwise be translated as “happy.”  What makes for happy eyes and ears?  Eyes that see and ears that hear!

Most do not understand the things of God.  “A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14).  Most are blind to the truth: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).  The context of our passage speaks to this.  The sower went out to sow, but more often than not, the seed fell on unfruitful soil (Matthew 13:3-9; 19-23).  Jesus spoke in parables, but most did not understand.  And even the prophets and righteous men of old were not privileged to see (ESV, “longed to see”), the truths that we as believers are now given to understand (Matthew 13:17).

The ability to comprehend truth is a privilege that has been granted to you by God.  Remember the day when the Spirit first opened your eyes to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:6)!  Words that had previously lacked meaning and import were made precious (1 Corinthians 2:12).  A longing for the truth was Spirit-borne into your heart (1 Peter 2:2)!  How glorious the day when your eyes and ears were made happy by God!  “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see!”

You have happy eyes and ears!  You’ve been privileged in a way that most on earth are not.  Others long for Bibles, you have many.  Other believers around the world meet in secret and risk persecution and arrest to meet together, you have the freedom to openly gather to fellowship and hear God’s word.  Don’t take for granted that which God has so graciously given.  Happy eyes are made happier still as they are fixed upon the Savior (Hebrews 12:2).  Happy ears rejoice to hear Him speak through His Word (John 10:27; Colossians 3:16).  He has many more things to show you and to tell you about (1 Corinthians 2:9).  Be glad for your Spirit-borne keen sight and good hearing!

How blessed the day when God worked a miracle to open your eyes and ears to the Truth!  Happy eyes and ears are those that keep on looking and listening to hear from God in His Word.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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