PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 13:1-9
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:9)
Imagine hearing Jesus tell this parable for the first time.
Why would Jesus use stories like this to teach people?
It reminds me of hearing one of Aesop’s fables, like the lion and the mouse.
Once you realize it is a teaching story, you listen differently.
You need ‘ears to hear’ the lesson in the story.
I think you need ‘ears to hear’ all the stories of the bible.
The lessons are not just at the surface, you have to dig in for the meaning.
To have ‘ears to hear’ is to have a heart that is willing to listen and learn.
Many people do not spend time reflecting on the bible, seeking its meaning.
Either they find it too hard, or too dark, or too childish.
For me, the more I sit with and reflect on it, the more I hear.
At first when I read a passage, I am not sure what the lesson is.
But eventually something comes to me, and with time and effort I find treasure.
Hearing the Lord in scripture takes desire, time and effort… but it’s worth it!
PRAYER
Lord, hearing Your Voice is hard, but it is not impossible. You will help me hear You, if I put the desire, time and effort into hearing You.
Let them hear – having an ear for the Word – sure we can hear the sounds that make up the words – but do they take ‘root’ in us – the roots run deeper and deeper as we dig into the ‘soil’ of God’s word and will and then in gratitude we respond in genuine service to God whose image we bear! When the words take root – we grow and become more like Jesus and want to serve him!
I’m reminded that the role of the farmer was not the make the seeds grow, or even only plant where he thought they may grow. After all, the farmer could not see that some good looking soil had rocks underneath, or at a certain time of day it would be exposed to unbearable heat, or that the patchy soil was actually fertile.
The farmer’s role was to sow, far and wide, and not worry about how possibly he could make his crop grow better than the Lord could. Lord thank you for making my yoke easy and burden light.
I am reminded of the time I heard this passage taught while we were sitting in a stony field with thickets of thorn trees in Israel. All the times before, I had focused on the sower, but this particular time, the Bible teacher put the emphasis on the types of soil. Then he asked the question, “What type of soil are you?” That question really made an impact on me. Once again, I pray: Lord Jesus, help me to prepare and care for my soil so that it will be good for growing Your seeds and producing a plentiful harvest for You. Without You, I cannot be the soil I want to be.
Jesus taught the people with a ‘show and tell’ method so that they would understand. But as a listener, one must be tuned in – open ears and an open heart. One has to receive the message – without prejudice, without cold hearts – willingly, eagerly, openly, hungerly. And still today I need to work with open ears and open heart to hear the Lord God speaking to me as I serve Him. I need to spend time with the Lord each day anew.
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thy erring children lost and lone.
2
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
3
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
4
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
5
O give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing power
A word in season, as from Thee
To weary ones in needful hour.
6
O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
7
O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!