January 31, 2024 — “In One Ear and Out the Other”

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5

We have a cat that is always scratching her ears. If you pet her head, she will shake her head violently and scratch her ears. If you let her sit on your lap, after a few minutes she will get up and scratch her ears. We have had her looked at, and she just has itchy ears. Having itchy ears for humans has mostly been a metaphor for wanting to hear a doctrine or an idea that only fits your worldview, or ideas, or your views of G-d. I am sure you have known someone in your life who just was never satisfied with an explanation about something – whether it is the fact that the moon landing was real, or in regards to who shot JFK, or whether Jesus actually rose from the tomb. And I am also sure that you knew or actually know someone whom seems to live their life taking information “in one ear and letting it go out the other.” This is how too many people approach their faith lives: they come to services and the sermon goes in one ear and out the other. They talk to their friends who are suffering, and the information goes in one ear and out the other. In other words, nothing goes into their ears and straight to their heart.

So, how is it with you? Are you one of those who have the connection broken between the ears and the heart? Or do you have listening ears and a feeling heart? When you hear the Word of G-d preached, does it stick, or does it exit stage left? When you read the Word or listen to the plight of your neighbors, do their pleas sink deep into your conscience and take hold there, setting for a spell and actually beginning to produce fruit in your life?

We should always strive to allow the Word of G-d to not only enter our ears, but also enter our hearts as well.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help my ears to inform my heart. I know that when I allow my ears to teach my heart, I will have a better chance of Your words transforming my heart, and my actions. Amen.

Pastor Dave