Jesus’ Parables And Having Ears To Hear
Luke 8:4-10 Key verse 8b, “…When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Pastor’s blog: Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 1-23-12
Verses 8: 4-10 read, “While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’”
I thank God for Jesus’ wisdom in teaching in parables. It is the wisest way to preach the word of God. It is the best way to pack in lots and lots of spiritual truths that can be drawn upon by millions of people throughout their entire life times. Jesus also chooses situations in life that are recognizable to all people of all generations. For example all people of all generations know what it means to plant a seed. Parables also draw people to them. They are like a puzzle or a riddle that people want to solve. They are intriguing.
They are very interesting but the truth is stated by Jesus, “..Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” We need a spiritual ear to hear the word of God. We need an interested ear and an ear that is attuned to hearing and understanding spiritual things. It amazes me how people are eager to think about Buddhist teaching, for example, but they are so ready to dismiss Jesus’ teachings because they are convinced that there is nothing there. And yet Jesus’ teachings are shown to be the wisest and most powerful and profound teachings in history. Maybe Jesus’ teachings are not fashionable enough, or cool enough. Jesus’ teachings are life changing and have changed and are changing human history. They are as meaningful and profound and powerful now as they were 2,000 years ago. Why not be intrigued by them and investigate their meaning? I pray for ears that want to listen and are able to hear the word of God.