THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 11:7-19
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 11:15)
When Billy Graham spoke, many people listened and responded.
But if someone ordinary says something challenging, do we listen?
John the Baptist was well-known, many people revered him as a prophet.
Jesus frustration was that people were not really listening to John.
They had ears, but they did not hear, they did not believe what John saying.
John was indeed great in God’s kingdom plan, but he was just a ‘messenger’ (v.10)
And so is everyone else – even the ‘least’ in the kingdom (v.11).
God uses all people, ordinary and extraordinary, as ‘messengers of the kingdom’.
But are we really listening, do we really have ears to hear?
Jesus’ message of the kingdom was radical, provoking radical responses from those who understood it.
But we have made Jesus’ radical message respectable, we listen to nice sermons about it.
“My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.” (Ezekiel 33:31-32)
We’re eager for the best preachers, and leave if we’re not getting fed (or force them to leave).
But are we actually hearing the MESSAGE, or just enjoying (or not) the messenger.
Wisdom is not hearing the messenger, wisdom is hearing and obeying the message.
Even if the messenger is an ‘ass’ (Numbers 22:21-31), we should pay attention to the message.
Jesus is not looking for listeners, He is looking for followers, those who DO what He says.
If we have really heard Jesus, the evidence will be seen in the ‘doing’.
“Wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” (v.19)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I haven’t really heard You until what You say changes me. I’ve heard so many sermons and speakers through the years, but have I really heard You?
I think about this all the time… About those who don’t claim the name of “Christian” who do great works.. And then those who are but seem at odds with the tenants of Christianity. I also ponder the tenants of Budhhism wherein all events and circumstances are seen as impermanent and changing and we’re encouraged not to get attached to outcome and desires… But even with this their eight-fold path promotes “right action” or “right speech” etc. So even here there is the philosophy of “righteousness”… For wise living.
Anyway not sure where that is all going 🙂 what struck me on the personal level is that I spend more time than I’d like “surviving” or just “getting through” life. And I’d like to be free(er) from that mentality so that I can DO more, and BE more of the person I feel called to be. Lots more to reflect on but that is what I will be meditating on. And praying about.
Open my ears Lord.
Were the ears of the people open to hear John or just intrigued? Were they swayed like the reeds in the wind?
John was more than a prophet – proclaiming the Good News and yet, he did not see the cross. Yet he was a ‘bridge’ between the OT and NT.
But the hearers were fickle. They were quick to criticize. They were blown by every kind of wind not accepting, nor believing – ears they had but did not hear.
John’s disciples told John what they heard and saw and they believed. John believed. To enter the kingdom one needs to take a stand and that may hurt – like the persecution during Jesus’ time and afterwards or even today.
Lord I can not be like the reed blown by all kinds of messages but need to take a stand and stand up for Jesus, being a kingdom worker here and now and forevermore.
Open my eyes Lord that I might see You..
Open my ears Lord that I may hear Your voice saying Christian, follow me.
1 Jesus calls us: o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea;
day by day his sweet voice soundeth
saying, “Christian, follow me.”
2 Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, “Christian, love me more.”
3 In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these.”
4 Jesus calls us: by thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thy obedience,
serve and love thee best of all.