December 24: ‘TIS THE SEASON TO HEAR FROM THE LORD

The LORD God has given Me the tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4

The learned refers literally to the learners, the disciples, in their desire to be taught. Christ’s ministry was divinely empowered to say exactly what needed to be said to His listeners. Upon hearing the intricacies of the message of Salvation, the learned had things that they needed to unlearn. This is a crucial aspect of overcoming – as we learn of God’s character, some ideas about Him that this fallen world has thrust upon us need to be overthrown!

Jesus, the Servant of Yahweh, is declaring His devotion to the earthly mission before Him. He is the Master Teacher of men, but emphasizes His oneness with the Father by making it clear that He continually desired and received His Father’s instruction (see John 3:2; 5:19; 8:28-30).

Before the foundation of the world, the life of Christ on earth was laid out before Him, perfect and complete in every particular. Nevertheless, living as a man among fallen men, this foreknowledge was laid aside as the Son of Man continually sought the guidance of His heavenly Father. It was unfolded to Him day-by-day, morning by morning. This detail supplies a depth of meaning to the fact that Jesus spent much time in prayer, even entire nights at times. There were many types of prayers, including prayers of private devotion (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16), preparation for major decisions (Luke 6:12), thanksgiving (John 11:41-42), intense agony (Matthew 26:39; Luke 23:34), and intercession (John 17).

The Messiah came into the world as the living Word of God (John 1:1). The famous line, the weary world rejoices (at the coming of Christ) from the beautiful song O Holy Night speaks of the weariness brought into our lives by sin. He most definitely knows how to speak a word in season to him who is weary, for not a single idle word has ever fallen from His lips. In utter humility, Jesus declares: He awakens My ear To hear as the learned… for the Son of God was always eager to hear from His Father, just as a disciple earnestly and eagerly desires to hear and learn. There is something very dear to the Savior that accompanies hearing and learning: sharing!

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2