Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Mark 4:9 NIV
Mark records Jesus making this statement at the conclusion of the parable of the sower, in which Jesus gives us an analogy to the different ways the word of God can impact a life. The parable illustrates that in the case of some people, whose hearts are hard, the word of God cannot penetrate before Satan comes and takes it away. Others have hearts that are soft enough to receive God’s word with joy, but they do not allow the word to take root in their lives, so it only lasts until trouble or persecution arises. Still others, hear the word but the worries of life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things enter in and choke out the word of God so that it doesn’t make a lasting difference. Lastly, there are those whose hearts are soft, they hear the word, receive it, and allow it to take root in their hearts and minds. It changes the way they think and impacts their lives in amazing ways. Those with soft hearts have ears to hear!
The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Matthew 13:10-11 NIV
What was the difference between the disciples and the rest of the people? The disciples had soft hearts toward the things of God. They desired to understand truth and they wanted the words of Jesus to impact their lives and change them. They had ears to hear! God searches for people like that, and when He finds them, He shares with them the secrets of the kingdom.
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Psalm 25:14 NIV
If you are a follower of Jesus, then the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you! Let that sink in.
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. Matthew 13:12 NIV
Whoever has a soft heart and ears to hear will be given more and more. God sows abundantly into their lives; because they have ears to hear, He speaks, and He speaks and He speaks!
This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 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.’ Matthew 13:13-15 NIV
When our hearts are hard, the word of God simply cannot penetrate, take root and grow! God continues to sow generously, but His word has little impact. Because we are calloused we just can’t hear His voice, and because we’ve closed our eyes, we just can’t see the truth. Is it ever too late? No. Matthew used the word, “Otherwise…” In other words, if we soften our hearts and desire to hear God’s voice, He will heal us! We will begin to hear His voice and understand with our hearts.
Then Jesus tells his disciples, “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” Matthew 13:16 NIV
There is no greater blessing than hearing the voice of God!