The Pierced Ear

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 15:12-17; Psalm 40:6; Hebrews 10:5-10

              There is a link between each of the texts in today’s reading. We move from the Law to the Psalms, and we end up in the gospel. The writer of Hebrews takes the words of Psalm 40 as prophetic of what Jesus spoke at the moment preceding His incarnation. He says it slightly different (likely using the Septuagint translation for his text), but the meaning remains unchanged. “A body you have prepared for me,” (Hebrews) and “you have given me an open ear,” both point to the commitment of the Son to live in subjection to the Father during His earthly pilgrimage. That is made clear with the phrase, “I come to do your will,” (Hebrews) and “I delight to do your will,” (Psalms).

              Jesus came to do the will of the Father. And He delighted to do so. Again, the phrasing of Hebrews and Psalms varies slightly, but complements, rather than contradicts each other. Jesus’ commitment to do the Father’s will was not foot-dragging, slog through life. He delighted to do the will of the Father, even when it was difficult, even when he had to pray, “If there is any other way…but nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done.”

              Deuteronomy is the root out of which this language of Psalm 40 and Hebrews 10 grew. There we find this mention of a circumstance in which a servant is granted his freedom but doesn’t want it. He wants to remain a servant to his master. The stated reason is, “I love my master.” In response, the master was told to take the servant and put his ear against a post and pierce it through with an awl. The symbolism is clear. The servant was marked as a man whose ear was “opened” or “digged” and therefore always listening and ready to obey his master’s command.

              The important point is this servant was not forced into this position. He wasn’t drug to a post and held fast by ropes or chains while some cruelty was inflicted upon him. He went willingly and joyfully because he loved his master.

              And this is the idea that is being communicated about Jesus. In His coming, in His incarnation, He came with a commitment to do the Father’s will. But it was not forced or coerced obedience. Jesus delighted to do His Father’s will. And He had this joy in obedience because He loved His Father.

              In following the Lord Jesus, Christian obedience is not a joyless, tedious thing. As John wrote, “His commandments are not burdensome.” Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” The best way to cultivate an obedient life is to cultivate our love for Christ. The greater our love, the more we will say, “I delight to do your will,” and “You have given me an open ear.”