I don’t think the crowds that followed Jesus were not much different than the people that go to church today. Then they wanted to hear what Jesus had to say. I believe it is the same today. People coming to hear a message from God’s Word.
Lately, I have become curious why people that listen to God’s Word week after week struggle with the concepts that His Word teaches. For example, there are multiple verses that tell God’s people not to worry. If we listen to the Spirit’s guidance, and have faith God is in control, there is no need for worry. Yet worry seems to be epidemic, even in people that go to church. I recently heard a pastor say in a sermon that worry is normal and everyone worries. I struggle to understand why. To me worry is a lack of faith that God is in control.
So, I searched for passages about “ears to hear” or spiritual ears. What I found was interesting. Here are two passages from Matthew that address the question.
Matthew 11:1-15
1After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John (the Baptist), who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Matthew 13:10-23
10 The disciples came to Him and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the Sower means:
19 When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the Word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, they quickly fall away.
22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word, making it unfruitful.
23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the Word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
I believe those passages tell me it is the “soil” or the “fertileness” of my heart that determines if I can hear the Word, understand it, and then apply it. What do I need to do to be “good soil”? Let’s look at them one at a time.
Seed sown on the path-
I recently wrote a blog post titled “Distractions”. We may be hearing or reading God’s Word, but our thoughts are elsewhere. I heard a pastor say in a sermon, “If I am setting in a service and the Word is being preached and yet my thoughts are on what players should I start in my fantasy football team, I will not hear the Spirit speaking to me.” I can read or listen to God’s Word, but if we don’t think about it and ask the Spirit to help me apply the truth I just heard, my heart is like the path.
Seed sown on rocky ground-
These people “hear the Word and receive it with joy”. But they have no roots, so when trouble comes, they fall away. No roots mean shallow faith. They either don’t study the Bible or don’t understand it when they do. The concept of what they heard was exciting, but the shallowness of their faith is overwhelmed when they are faced with the troubles of this world.
Seed that falls among the thorns-
These people also “hear the Word” but worries or the “deceitfulness of wealth” choke out the Biblical truth. Not believing God will take care of them makes them rely on their own knowledge to take care of themselves.
Seed that falls on the good soil-
“Good soil” are people that hear the Word, understand it, and apply it to their life. The application of truth allows them to be fruitful in the Kingdom.
Remember Jesus said-
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, turn, and I would heal them.’
My prayer is our Lord will help me to be guided by His Spirit with ears that are listening and eyes that are seeing so I can learn to be “good soil” and be fruitful in His Kingdom.
Christian Life Coach 