Ears to Hear

"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." Mark 4:24-25

Jesus sits in a boat and teaches parables to the crowd on the shore. He speaks about the farmer and the seed. He ends his story with the words,

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:9

They are in the presence of The Word Made Flesh...and it isn't enough.
They listen as he shares life giving words...and it isn't enough.

Because they don't have "ears to hear."

Later, Jesus is having a private discussion with his disciples. They have questions about the parables that Jesus shared earlier. What does he tell them?

You are different...
"The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you." v 11a

You have a long way to go...
"Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?" v. 13

He goes on to explain the parable. Again, he declares,
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." v. 23

He follows that up with a clear warning to listen and carefully consider well what is heard (see Mark 4:24-25 above).

Lord,
Forgive me for all the times I have listened but not heard.
Forgive me for all the times I have been in Your presence and still been unsatisfied.
Forgive me for all the times the poor condition of the soil of my heart has made it impossible for the seed of Your Word to take root and grow.
I do not want to miss out on the wonder of being in Your presence any longer.
I want to have ears that hear.
Would you give me those ears, Lord, and show me how to carefully consider all that You are speaking to me, this day?
In Jesus' name,
Amen.