<p>11:15&nbsp;<em>He that has ears to hear, let him hear</em>- The Lord often uses this phrase, the idea seems to be that not all have the capacity to really hear, but if we do, then, we still have to exercise a choice as to whether we do or not. That would also be true to observed experience, because that is indeed how it seems- some people have no interest in God&rsquo;s word, something is not &lsquo;given&rsquo; them, so that they never &lsquo;get it&rsquo;; and those to whom it is given, there must still be a conscious choice exercised. For those who decide rightly, it becomes true that to him who has, more is given (Mt. 13:12). That verse in 13:12 begs the question &lsquo;Has what?&rsquo;. The answer is surely given here in 11:15: &lsquo;ears to hear&rsquo;. The hearing or listening which the Lord refers to is listening to the message of John- for the next verses liken John&rsquo;s ministry to calling out to people to respond, although most choose to be non-responsive. Maybe the idea is &lsquo;Despite John having a temporary crisis of faith and understanding, that is no excuse for not hearing his message&rsquo;. Perhaps the tension is being developed between the need to&nbsp;<em>hear</em>&nbsp;John, whereas it is thrice stressed that this crowd had gone out into the desert to&nbsp;<em>see</em>&nbsp;John (11:7-9), as if they were going to a show- a powerful challenge that echoes down to our generation of churchgoing and churchianity.</p>