Journey to Bethlehem Day 21

Saturday, December 21 Matthew 11:11-19

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” It is novel concept since we all have ears, but are we willing to listen? In this case Jesus is asking whether we are willing to listen to a radical life changing message. A message that could change our identity and how we see this word.
Once we have accepted Christ, these ears become even more important. With these ears we hear God and what he has for us. The catch is we usually don’t listen. We must train these ears by praying to God to change us, by sitting in silence, and read His word so we know His voice. It is not something that comes naturally in this easily distracted world, but with persistent and patience we can absolutely get there.
So, over the last couple days of this devotional, ask for new patience, ask to enjoy the silence, ask for God to change us, and most of all ask for Ears to hear. It will change the time you spend with God; it will change how you pray; it will change how you read His word and will change how you see the service.
I encourage you to be patient and persistent, it will take time, but it is worth it. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand
you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find
you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to
hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of
life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance
to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a
blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.