An open ear, a soft heart

I don’t know this for sure, but I’ve felt for a long time that when Jesus prayed at his baptism, he probably prayed Psalm 40:6-8.

You…open my ears to listen…Then I said, “See, I have come; in the scroll it is written about me. I delight to do your will, my God…”

Why do I think he prayed that? Because the writer of Hebrews has Jesus praying that psalm. (Hebrews 10:5-7)

But whether he prayed that or not at his baptism, I think we can safely say that Jesus had open ears and a soft heart to God.

Those were things Herod didn’t have, especially when confronted with his sin. (Luke 3:19-20)

The people John baptized, on the other hand, came with open ears and a soft heart. And we see it in their response.

“What should we do?” (Luke 3:10, 12, 14)

That’s the question of open ears and a soft heart.

That’s the heart Jesus had.

That’s the kind of heart I want.

Is it the kind of heart you have?

Whenever we read or hear God’s word, let that be our response to him.

“What should I do? I delight to do your will.”