He Who Has Ears Let Him Hear
Many people went out of their way to listen when Jesus spoke. And rightly so! When he added a phrase like “he who has ears let him hear,” they needed to pay closer attention.
“Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more.” Mark 4:24
I know many novel believers and non-Christians who have some knowledge of the Bible. The biggest problem with that though lies in the fact they only know Bible stories.
These are good stories. Stories we teach to our children in Sunday School. These adults only know them on the surface with no application. Therefore have little to no depth added to their biblical understanding.
I also know people who have known the Lord for years. They have consistently attended church. But much to my amazement, their Biblical knowledge is very limited. And may I add, their spiritual walk has very little depth to it.
So why did I bring this up? Because Jesus said some things in this chapter that is important to our spiritual walk. And it demands our total attention.
Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. Mark 4:21
In other words, let the light of Jesus shine brightly out of your life. Don’t try to hide it because He went on to say the following.
For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Mark 4:22
He Who Has Ears Let Him Hear the Message
Listen to His message. What does a person want to accomplish if they are trying to conceal the light in their life? The only thing they could possibly hide is their sin.
Jesus said, don’t do it! Don’t dim or extinguish the light of your Christian testimony. Because the sin you are really hiding will be brought to light. Our verse for today says the Lord wants us to listen closely so we will understand.
On a personal note, I may not be the sharpest pencil in the box. I do, however, consider myself to have some depth of biblical understanding. Oh sure, there are things I don’t understand in the Bible.
One of those things involves the specifics of end-time prophecy. But I do know this, it’s not a necessary component of my salvation. What did Jesus say about the end times? You better be ready!
So how do we get biblical understanding? It works the same way our spiritual maturity works. According to what the Lord is telling us, it is a process.
To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” Mark 4:25
Here’s the Key
In our verse today, Jesus gave us the key to getting more understanding of biblical principles. And it applies to everyone who has ears to hear.
- Pay close attention to what you hear.
- The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given
- and you will receive even more
Are you ready for the bottom line? Don’t just hear the words, but listen to what is being said. And the more you pay attention, the more understanding you will receive.
Lord, help us to focus on your Word. So we can pay closer attention to it and receive a greater understanding of it. Giving us the ability to live by it and effectively share it with others.
Read the chapter of Jesus saying, “he who has ears to hear” in Mark 4.
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