Two Ears and One Mouth

A Series on the parables of Jesus
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Luke 8:1-15 

[During the first century, it was common for a rabbi to use parables when teaching their disciples. The parables of Jesus were stories that he told to illustrate spiritual truth using some element from everyday life. Jesus used seeds, fish, trees, bread - things people could easily relate to – for a “teachable moment”.]

  

You've probably heard this saying before somewhere. The problem is that most people, or probably it’s just me, are thinking about what they’re going to say just as soon as the other person shuts up!

 

The first career job that I had was as a full-time urban youth minister for a parachurch ministry. My boss used to philosophize all the time… most of which I didn’t get. I can still remember him telling me how my work should be like that of an owner, not a renter.

 

Looking back, I now understand that he recognized that I wasn’t fully committed to the ministry like I needed to be – that is, an owner mentality. I was more like a renter who was just passing through – there for a while, but not putting down roots.

 

Speaking of roots… in the parable of the sower, you can easily picture the setting. Jesus is sitting in a boat, out in the water with people standing around the shoreline listening intently. He may have looked up and seen a farmer spreading seed for his crop, which gave him the idea for the parable.

 

Once Jesus had told the parable, the disciples, like me not understanding my boss, didn’t quite get it. So, Jesus spelled it out for them.

 

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.”         NIV

 

From there, he went on to explain how the different types of soil impacted the growth of the word of God in the person. Each one of these soils may bring to mind someone that you have known. Honestly though, I can identify with all of them.

 

In fact, James warns believers about something that’s right out of Jesus’ playbook. It’s a “parable of the sower” warning about seeds not taking root, and how to make sure that doesn’t happen.

 

²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ²³ For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.   James 1 NLT

 

When Jesus finished telling the parable of the sower, he said the following.

 

⁸ “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” NLT

 

Apparently, two ears and one mouth is a formula that we should still abide.

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams