NEWS & THOUGHTS ARCHIVE

 “He That Hath Ears To Hear,
Let Him Hear”

Evangelist Dr. Bob Sanders
May1, 2010

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Unlike previous months in which I have tried to give a complete sermon, this month I want to deal with a single thought. It is a thought that the Lord used to challenge my heart during one of my devotional times recently. While these phrases occur in the single and the plural form, sixteen times in the New Testament, God encourages those that have the capability and capacity to hear, to take the initiative to hear. The phrase “to hear, let him hear” means to hear, to give audience, to come to the ears, to understand. While the phrase, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15) is convicting enough, Jesus’ previous words in the previous verse are even more convicting, “And if ye will receive it” (Matthew 11:14). 

Only an understanding of the setting will reveal the true impact of what Jesus was saying. Having concluded speaking directly to His disciples, Jesus began to travel throughout the various cities of Judea teaching and preaching. Having been thrown into prison, John sent two of his disciples to question Jesus concerning the validity of the Lord’s person and purpose, “Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3). In a positive manner and by the biblical standard (see Matthew11:5), Jesus reaffirms the validity of His person and purpose. Having finished speaking with the disciples of John, Jesus turned to speak to the multitude. John the Baptist would go from being the subject to which Jesus was speaking (see verses4-6), to becoming the subject of which Jesus was speaking (see verses 7-13)! 

While the discourse was delivered to two specific groups, John’s disciples and the multitude, the discourse had only one purpose; it declared that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah and God incarnate in human flesh (see Isaiah 35:4-6). John had believed the truth until doubt challenged his heart and Jesus accentuated the fact that John was not wrong as the scriptures would prove. For John, the truth was reaffirmed, but for the multitude, the truth was revealed. If the multitude would embrace the revealed truth about John, they were in a position to believe the truth about Jesus. In verses7-10, Jesus reveals John’s nature in prophecy. In verse 14, Jesus would reveal John’s name in prophecy, “this is Elias.” This brings us to the question that Jesus proposed to the multitude, “If ye will receive it.” There are three words that we need to look closely at; “if”, “will”, and “receive.” The word “if” is a primary participle of conditionality. It means if, whether, for as much, or whether. The word “will” means desire, be disposed, intend, or will have. The word “receive” is middle voice of a primary verb meaning to receive, accept, or take. Upon examining these words, it becomes apparent that Jesus is declaring a principle that is relevant to not just those that were present that day, but unto all men, saved and lost; “Only you can determine the spiritual desire and the mental disposition to receive, accept, and take truth when it is delivered?” 

What makes it so difficult to embrace the truth about the person, purpose, and prophecy of John? If the multitude accepts the truth about John, it means that they must also accept the truth about Jesus and Him being the Messiah! If John is “Elias”; Jesus has to be the Messiah that followed the coming of the prophetic Elijah or forerunner. Mark 11:32, revealed that the multitudes had already accepted John as a prophet, “for all men counted John, that he was a prophet, indeed.” It is not a question of “Is John a prophet?”, but “Is John, “THE” prophet, Elijah?” 

Have we ever been guilty of rejecting one truth because we knew that the acceptance of that truth would mean the acceptance of a truth that we do not want to accept. Let me give you an example of what I mean. There are some that will not accept the truth about total depravity because to embrace that truth, it means that they embrace, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

Another such example of this principle is the rejection of truth concerning spiritual qualification of deacons, pastors, and preachers. If the truth is accepted, it means that certain people must vacate the office or position that they currently hold. Rather than take the chance of creating controversy, or making the brethren mad and even possibly losing a few members, we chose to openly reject truth. 

Have we ever been guilty of rejecting a message of truth because we did not want to accept the messenger of truth. The messenger my not have been in our camp or wore our stripe so we rejected any word by them as being false. While it had reference to the work of God more than it did the Word of God, John spoke of a similar instant, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us” (Luke 9:49). 

While the acceptance of one truth will generally lead to the opportunity to receive and embrace another truth, the reverse is also true. When we chose to reject truth for any reason, we close the door of opportunity. The truth that we reject may be the foundation for the truth that what was to follow. May we never reject truth for fear of where we think it may take us! The question that Jesus asked was not “If ye can receive it”, but “If ye will receive it.” Is it your choice to accept all truth? By God’s grace, I want my heart to be tender and open to God’s full revelation of truth! 

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