More than once, Jesus talked about having eyes and ears. I’m reflecting on that expression because what he was recommending was, if one has eyes to see and ears to hear then he should see and hear. I know what you’re thinking, That’s a brilliant observation, PD! But there must have been more than a redundant word usage Jesus had in mind.
First, ‘eyes to see.’ What else are eyes for if not to see? Of course, there’s blindness, but I don’t think that’s what Jesus was getting at. Maybe it’s more like the first time a subject of study is introduced and at the end of the class period the teacher asks, ‘Do you see?’ The explanation was obviously clear to the presenter, but ‘seeing’ was the task of the student, to actively engage in the hard work of ‘seeing.’ Have you ever said, on walking out of one of those classes, something like, ‘That was as clear as mud’? In other words, no seeing was done that day.
Second, ‘ears to hear.’ What are ears for if not to hear? Of course, there’s deafness, but I don’t think that’s what Jesus had in mind, either. Again, like the class mentioned above, the teacher may have good enunciation, good volume, maybe even good humor, but for all that, there’s no hearing happening. Why? I think everyone knows how to simulate polite, attentive, interest while the whole time thinking, ‘Just shoot me now!’ or ‘What a perfect time for a fire drill!’ Or they are ‘miles away’ from that classroom, lying on the beach, surfing, sleeping (dangerous for a snorer to ponder), flying kites, etc. The physical ears were in good shape, but incoming sounds were mere interruptions to all preferred activity. In other words, no hearing was occurring that day.
Lots of eyes not seeing and ears not hearing was taking place when Jesus was teaching or telling stories and parables. This was revealed by the type of follow-up questions. The need for the abridged version was often requested. It was, and is, too easy to blame the speaker when, in fact, the problem had/has its origins in the listener.
I think this matter of seeing and hearing is needful to meet the tragedies of our day. God’s Word reveals His Kingdom. Its glory. Its majesty. Its power. Jesus reveals the Father. His words of love and beauty draw life up and out of our weary hearts and souls. And not just any life, but eternal life. Life in Jesus! Life with power! Life with authority! Life with healing! Life unconquerable! Wouldn’t it be a terrible thing to fail to see, fail to hear, the truth of who we are and Whose we are? Wouldn’t it be tragic to miss experiencing the surging power of abundant life now ours? Wouldn’t our hearts be dismayed to not see what Jesus was doing or to not hear what he was saying? He’s calling for us. PD
