You’ve heard it. You can quote it. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Jesus said this several times as He ministered to the multitudes regarding the truths of God’s Kingdom.
And now, over 2,000 years later, the question remains: Can you hear me now? (This is my modern version of what Jesus was saying.) But hear what? What was so important that Jesus would put such great emphasis on it?
First, let’s acknowledge that Jesus also said not everyone will hear (meaning, understand) the truths He was proclaiming. So it’s very important that you and I not fall in that category. We need to purposefully turn up our spiritual hearing aids so we don’t miss any opportunity to grow spiritually.
What Did You Come to See?
The first time Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” was concerning John the Baptist. But before He made this statement, He asked the people, “What did you go out to see?” (Matthew 11:8-15). In other words, are you just a casual on-looker? Or a serious investigator?
John Wesley once said, “Get on fire and people from miles around will come and watch you burn!”
It’s human nature to just sit and watch a fire. But Jesus challenged that mindset. Many of those in the crowd had been raised to watch for the Messiah. John was the “Elijah” they’d been expecting, but sadly, most of them missed it.
Do You Want to Produce?
The Parable of the Sower is a very familiar parable of Jesus. And it’s also the most recorded. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all heard those famous words again: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” In fact, Jesus said of all the parables, if you don’t get this one, how else will you understand any of them?
God’s Word is like seed. Your heart is like ground. It’s that simple. But seed that is planted in wrong or ill-prepared soil won’t grow anything (and therefore won’t produce anything either). No wonder Jesus asked if anybody was listening.
Are You Pretending?
A ministry friend of mine told me “tares” (or “weeds” as we would call them in West Texas) are actually called “cheats” by farmers. The reason is because they can look very similar to wheat.
The wheats and the cheats might be the most accurate picture of the world I’ve ever heard. Some cheats are easy to spot— but not all. And here’s how you can know the difference: When wheat has a full head of grain, it bows under the weight of it. But tares (weeds or cheats) continue to stand tall, almost oblivious to their pride and self-exoneration.
No wonder Jesus said it would be easy to spot the “cheats” on the last day. Humility reveals the true children of God. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Are You Adding Flavor?
I don’t know if I’ve ever tasted salt-less salt. It’s an oddity in my mind actually. I suppose it would be like putting sand on my tongue. And the mere thought of that makes me wrinkle my nose.
If our lives are like salt that seasons and adds life and flavor to our world, then it’s important we don’t simply blend in (become flavorless or unrecognizable). So again, no wonder Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
You are the salt. You are the soil. You are the real. And you are the messengers.
Are you listening? Really listening?
