Network Discipling Ministries

WHO’S GOT YOUR EAR?

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?” – Luke 6:46, NRSV

Read First: Matthew 5:21-48

In the 2008 Presidential campaign, the media was all “abuzz” as to  who really had the President-elect Barack Obama’s ear. All finally agreed that it was his wife and confidant, Michelle. Still many seek to get the ear of the Present for all sorts of reason important to themselves.

In His kingdom address on the the Mount called “Blessing,” Christ was essentially seeking to get the ears of the multitudes that gathered to hear Him. Consequently, He focused their attention upon the uniqueness and superiority of His kingly authority over all other earthly power or influence. Up to the time of this gathering on the Mount, the life experiences of the masses had been swayed and shaped by the maxims, teachings and traditions of the cultured religious, political and philosophical figures of the day. Now, the King-elect set Himself up against all these revered personalities and their “larger-than-life” instructional systems and injects new meaning and loftier ideals to all that was once regarded as untouchable and changeless.

In the ensuing twenty-eight verses of this discourse, the King and master Teacher repeated the clause, “You have heard,” six times; and with each repetition, He injected either a cancellation or a magnification of what was once thought to be true. With the comparative clause, “But I say to you,” He brought change to what appeared unchangeable, and light to what was once enshrouded in mystery.

Through this most powerful comparison, Jesus was establishing two very essential and undisputable truths. (1) He was indeed the vital, indispensable link to all the Law and the Prophets, and His true purpose was to magnify (or clarify) and not destroy the foundation they had laid. He is the transcendent “glue” which holds both the Law and the writings of the Prophets together. (2) By making use of the conjunction “but,”  Christ did not only cancel the authority of all who came or spoke before Him; but also established Himself as the only authoritative voice in His kingdom.

All kingdom citizens, and aliens who are seeking citizenship and entrance into that kingdom, must pay strict attention to only one voice—that is, the voice of the King. The King, Himself, said: “My sheep (disciple or kingdom citizen) hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me . . . And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers” (John 10:27, 5). Listening to any other voice will spell danger and possibly destruction to the unwary sheep.

Therefore, in the context of salvation and kingdom living, the only words that count are those uttered by mouth of the Good Shepherd and King, Jesus Christ. No matter how brilliant the mind, tested the science or system of knowledge; no matter how revered the teacher, professor, or philosopher; no matter the human invention or how good the intention, the child of God must give preeminence to no other voice but the voice of Jesus, and to no other word but the Word of God. In this Word, Jesus clearly stated: “Not every one that saith unto me ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

WHOSE WORD HAS FINAL AUTHORITY IN THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR LIFE? WHO’S GOT YOUR EAR?