Ears to Hear

Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you a teacher of Israel and do not know these things? If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?" (John 3:9,10)

Nicodemus was asking the right questions, but the answers were not what he expected. That is because Jesus' words are spirit and life, and Nicodemus did not yet have ears to hear them. He was expecting Jesus to speak in the aloof, legalistic way he had become accustomed to. Yet, Jesus was speaking in a way that was new and unexpected, and with authority. 

 

Nicodemus would never be the same after this conversation, and Jesus' words were going to draw him or repel him. How he received those words depended on the condition of his heart, and the same is true of us. 

 

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 2:7)

 

It is God's pleasure to give us the keys to the Kingdom, and our good pleasure to receive them. When we come to the Lord with our questions and cares, we must be prepared to hear Him in the spirit —because that is the only language He speaks. He is the truth, and He speaks the truth to our spirits.

 

Those who are willing to trust and obey God hear Him gladly, and the mysteries of faith become clearer to us all the time. Are you simple enough, humble enough, quiet enough to hear and understand spiritual things? Can you receive the truth?

 

Let's Pray - Lord, I humble myself before Your Word. I am determined to be simple and childlike enough to hear and obey You. Thank You for ears to hear. In Jesus, Amen.