Falling on Deaf Ears

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PODCAST

March 23rd, 2012

As a school teacher, I often gave instructions that fell on deaf ears: “Write your name on your paper. Don’t lean back in your chair. Turn in your homework tomorrow.” Students who ignored my instructions had to deal with the consequences.

Jesus experienced having his words fall on deaf ears during his trial before Caiaphas, the high priest. Members of the Sanhedrin and chief priests gathered in the middle of the night at Caiaphas’s house to participate in Jesus’ illegal trial. Many people witnessed against Jesus, but none presented serious enough evidence to warrant a death sentence.

Then Caiaphas took charge: “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” It would have been permissible for Jesus to admit to being a son of God. However, Jesus’ simple “I am,” an echo of God’s revealed name to Moses (Exod. 3:14), assured him of the death penalty.

What will we do with Jesus? Will we accept him as the Messiah, the Son of God? Or will we have deaf ears? Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice.