What does "let him hear" teach about personal responsibility in receiving God's message? The Repeated Call to “Let Him Hear” • Matthew 11:15; 13:9; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8; Revelation 2:7—all record Jesus or the risen Christ declaring, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” • The wording never changes: it is an imperative, spoken directly to every listener. What “Hear” Signifies in Scripture • In biblical usage, “hear” (Greek akouō, Hebrew shamaʿ) means to listen with the intent to act (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4; James 1:22). • The phrase therefore carries two ideas: – Attentive reception of God’s Word. – Obedient response to that Word. Personal Responsibility Emphasized • Individual accountability—“He who has ears” singles out each person; no one can delegate hearing to another (Ezekiel 18:20). • Universal ability—God assumes every listener is capable of receiving His message; excuses are removed (Romans 1:20). • Required decision—hearing is not optional; refusal brings judgment (John 12:48). • Ongoing obligation—the command is present tense; believers must keep listening (Hebrews 3:7-8). Why the Command Is Repeated • Spiritual dullness is a real danger (Matthew 13:13-15). • Truth is often veiled in parables; only the willing grasp it (Mark 4:11-12). • The Spirit continues to speak to the churches (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17). Practical Marks of “Letting Him Hear” • Regular exposure to Scripture—“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). • Humble teachability—“But to this one will I look: to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2). • Quick obedience—“If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). • Guarded attention—reject competing voices that distort truth (John 10:27). • Persevering application—“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). Summing Up “Let him hear” asserts that receiving God’s message is each person’s duty. Scripture is clear, literal, and authoritative; the listener must actively engage, believe, and obey. |
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