God's Pierced Ears

Last week, in our study of the description Christ gives of Himself to the church at Smyrna, we discussed His title: The First and the Last. We pursued our investigation, making the assumption that "first and last" is speaking of time, chronologically.

WHAT IF THE TITLE "FIRST AND LAST" IS NOT TAKEN TO INDICATE CHRONOLOGY?

Is it true that the phrase, "the first and the last" must always involves time? I propose that it could, but it doesn't have to require duration of time. Let me show you what I mean.

IN OUR STUDY OF THE LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS, WHAT DID WE SAY THE WORD "FIRST" MEANT WHEN CHRIST SAID THEY HAD "LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE?"

We said it could refer to the time they first came to Christ asking forgiveness of sins, but most likely it meant they had left the place where Christ was pre-eminent in their lives. They had walked away from the time when Jesus had first place in everything they did. Could it be that this is also the meaning of Christ being the "First" in His letter to Smyrna? I believe it could - and there are several reasons.

The message to the church at Smyrna

The first reason deals with why Jesus gave this description of Himself to the church at Smyrna. You might remember that in our introductory lesson on Smyrna, I mentioned that some of their coinage had the phrase "first in Asia in beauty." And they were using that statement to say they were greatest of all cities in Asia. So, when Christ identifies Himself as "The First and the Last," they would have understood it to be talking about rank, not chronology. He is saying, "I am above all else."

To see this, we need to consider how the words "first" and "last" are used elsewhere in the NT. The Greek word for "first" is PROTOS. This is the same Greek word that is used in the letter to the church at Ephesus.

I want to be careful not to imply that this word is only used to denote "first in rank" and not mean "first chronologically." This word is found in the original Greek exactly 100 times, and can represent either rank or chronology.

Mark 10:44 shows us Jesus saying to the disciples that "whoever would be first (protos) among you must be slave of all." That is, if a disciple desires to be the most important and elevated above all the others, he needs to humble himself and serve the body because it is in service that greatness is considered.

Mark 12:28 also shows this usage of the word where one of the scribes asks Jesus, "Which commandment is the first (protos) of all?" The Scribe was not asking which is first chronologically. He is asking which of the commandments is most important.

I can imagine some of you might be thinking, OK John, I can accept that Jesus is First - in rank. But Jesus doesn't just say "I am the first." He also says, "I am the Last." Is Christ saying He is last in rank as well?

The Greek word for "last" is ESCHATOS. As was true of PROTOS (First) , this can refer to either last chronologically or last in rank. It is from Eschatos that we get the theological word, ESCHATOLOGY. That word means, "a study of last things" or "a study of the end times." But when used that way, it is talking about the end times chronologically.

In Luke 14:9-10 we read of Jesus telling His disciples:

"...when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest (eschatos) place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, "Friend, go up higher"; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you."

That is, they were not to take the position of superiority when they sat down at table to eat but take up the lowliest position.

Both protos and eschatos are used in Mark 9:35 and are contrasted there. Jesus asks the twelve disciples what they were talking about on the way to Capernaum. But the disciples are hesitant to tell Him because they were discussing amongst themselves which of them is the greatest. Therefore Jesus calls them to Him and says "...If any one would be first (protos), he must be last (eschatos) of all and servant of all." This verse uses these words to indicate first and last in "rank."

Now, if I take the statement of Jesus in Revelation 2:8 to mean that He is first in rank then what does He mean when He continues to say, "I am the Last?"

Christ as "The Last"

Now, with regard to rank, how is it that Jesus calls Himself "The Last?" Most Christians would proclaim loudly that Jesus is first in rank, far above all (Phil 2:9-11), but recoil against any thought that Jesus is also the last in rank.

Before I address this part of the title Jesus takes to Himself, I want to say that I will not take issue if you prefer to take "the First and the Last" as being more chronological in nature. I am not being dogmatic in what I am about to say. I present it as a possible interpretation for you to consider.

Earlier I mentioned that "the First and the Last," as a title of Christ, is twice used without "the Alpha and Omega" and "the Beginning and the End." If we look at those two verses, we find attached to the title, "the First and the Last," another phrase that speaks of another aspect of Christ. And in each case, they are both speaking of the same descriptor of our Savior. Let's read those two verses.

The first is Revelation 2:8 (NKJV), which is part of the letter to Smyrna.

8 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

That last phrase, "who was dead and came to life," speaks of His earthly ministry.

Revelation 1:17-18 (NKJV) is the other Passage.

17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.

Again, this last phrase speaks of Christ's human life, death and resurrection. While the first phrase - the First and the Last - touches on Christ's deity, the latter - who was dead and came to life, speaks of both His divinity and humanity. When Christ was physically here on earth, He was both divine and human. Christ died physically for our sins, but only as God could He remove our sins.

So, my question for you is, could the title, "the First and the Last" also be speaking of Christ's divinity and humanity? As "The First," Christ is pre-eminent to all other supposed gods of this world. As "The Last," He took on Himself the role of a servant when He came to earth.

Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV) says:

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

The Greek word that is translated "SERVANT" is the word DOULOS. It is referring to a servant that is a slave. This Passage, therefore, is telling us that Jesus was willing to leave the splendor of heaven, and take on the nature of a human slave. He, so to speak, was willing to become the lowest on the human pecking order - a slave. This is echoed by Christ's own words.

Matthew 20:27-28 NKJV

27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Christ did not come to be served, but to serve you and me. I believe we can truthfully say that He who was above all, willingly became the lowest of all (a slave) so that He could experience for you and me the lowest of all deaths.

Some might ask, "but Christ's statement to the apostle John and the church in Smyrna is after His time on earth. He was again in Heaven communicating with John. How then can He still be considered that last in rank?"

I think we can say that as we live for Christ, He willingly serves us, even today. Jesus is not so exalted as to refuse to associate Himself with lowly men and women. He takes upon Himself the form of a servant even today and comes alongside the believer to strengthen and encourage then.

Matthew 11:29 NKJV

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

I picture in my mind a yoke that has two harnesses. This yoke would fit the shoulders of two oxen, side by side. Now picture a yoke of this kind, that Christ calls "My yoke." Only this time, it is you and He that are tackling the hard stuff together. The yoke is not only on your shoulders - but on His as well. And He has more pulling power than you or I. Christ says that He will never leave us alone to carry the load. He delights in serving you and me today.

This is also significant when we come to the letter to the Smyrnaeans. They are about to enter a time of great tribulation when many of them are going to lose their lives. It is a great encouragement, and source of strength to know that Jesus is not standing aloof from their situation, elevated in rank, far above all, in heaven, but unwilling or unable to descend to be with them through their hour of need. Rather, He is the One who shares their suffering, and will be alongside them throughout the trial until they find it completed. I have no problem saying that Christ is the "First and the Last" in rank. And He is still willing to serve you and me today.

As I studied the phrase, "I am the first and the last," and wondering if Christ was speaking of rank instead of chronology, the greatest difficulty I had is when we carry this to the passages in the Old Testament, where Jehovah states that He is the first and the last. Can that phrase also be taken in terms of rank - of pre-eminence.

Let's look again at one of those passage when Jehovah calls Himself "the First and the Last."

Isaiah 44:6 NKJV

6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God.

The challenge is; does the description of Jehovah as the "First and the Last," indicate it is speaking of rank or chronology. And as one tries to meet that challenge, we have to be careful not to force it to fit our ideas.

About 30 years ago, I taught a lesson called: "God's Pierced Ears." I haven't taught that lesson since then. I used as my text for that lesson, Psalm 40:6-8 (NIV).

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced ; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come - it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

I wanted to read verse 8, because it will come up again shortly.

In this Passage, David is not just writing about himself. He is speaking of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. These words are given as if they were being spoken by the Messiah. And He is telling God that He has pierced His ears. The reason we know Psalm 40 is speaking of Christ, is because it is quoted in Hebrews 10:6-7, where we know definitely it is speaking of Christ.

Many of you will probably have other translations. And some of them will say, "My ears you have opened." There are two or three reasons I believe the better translation is "pierced."

1. Examination of the Hebrew word used here.

2. Other uses of this word in the Old Testament.

1. Examination of the Hebrew word

The Hebrew word which is translated "pierced" is the word KARAH. Strong's Concordance is one of the most exhaustive of all concordances. It takes every word in the Bible and assigns them a number. There is a list of numbers for Hebrew words, and a list for Greek. The number for the this Hebrew word is 3738. And the first two definitions given to this word is: Dig and Bore.

The Hebrew language has a more common word that is translated "open". It is the word, "PATHACH". That word is used in Scripture to indicate:

o opening a door
o opening your eyes
o opening one's mouth
o opening a window, etc.

Pathach is the word used when referring to opening something that had been closed.

2. How "Karah" is used elsewhere in the Old Testament

I am going to present to you only one Passage.

Psalm 22 is also a Messianic Psalm. It speaks of the crucifixion of Christ. Lets read Psalm 22:16.

16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.

Here, again, we find the word "pierced." And it is using the same root word, "KARAH." I don't think there is any doubt this should be translated "pierced." It is speaking to the nails driven through the hands and feet of Christ. The very first verse of the 22nd Psalm are words Christ said while on the Cross. "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

Let me ask you a question as we return to Psalm 40:6, that speaks of the Messiah's ears being pierced.

DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER REFERENCE AS TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PIERCED EARS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT?

There are at least two Passage that are significant with regard to the matter of having ears pierced. Both of them are addressing the same subject. And they are both found among the books of Moses. One is found in Exodus 21:1-6. I want to read the other Passage.

Deuteronomy 15:12-17 NIV

12 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free.
13 And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed.
14 Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
16 But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is well off with you,
17 then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant.

Both this Passage and the one in Exodus 21 speak of the "year of release." Every creditor who had loaned money to a fellow Jew had to release the debtor from any further payment. This passage goes on to tell what gifts had to be given to the freed slave. This was God's way of leveling the social status. I love that about God.

If these things, along with the rest of God's law, were carried out, there would never be great extremes of social practice and behavior. But, additional to that, God makes a special provision for one unusual situation. There might be the case where a slave had enjoyed working for his master for 6 years. The master had been kind, considerate and gracious to his slave. And the slave felt a sense of security and protection with this particular master. And when the 7th year drew near, this slave might view his prospective freedom with fear and uncertainly To be free meant being thrust out to fend for himself. So God provided a permanent way out.

Let's read verses 16 & 17 again.

Deuteronomy 15:16-17 NIV

16 But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is well off with you,
17 then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant.

This was a momentous decision - because it was to be a permanent decision. This would possibly be a painful decision both emotionally and physically. How binding was this - it was for the rest of their lives. This is where the words of Psalm 40:7-8 are so important. Let me read them again.

7 Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart." (NKJV)

The slave making the decision to become a permanent slave of his master would not make that decision without being able to saying, without reservation, "(Master), I delight to do you will." He is also able to make that decision because, as we read in Deuteronomy 15:16, "I do not want to leave you, because I love you and your family." This is a decision made out of love, not fear.

There is a term used to identify this kind of slave. Do you know what that term is? He is called a bond slave, or a bond servant.

So, in Psalm 40, in prophetic language, we see Jesus - God the Son - offering himself as a love-slave to His Father. In an awesome way, the pierced ears of Jesus led on to the pierced hands and feet and to the pierced side. All of this done in love to the Father and obedience to his Holy will. But He did it also out of love for us.

Here we have a wonderful Savior, who became a willing Slave, and pledging His service to His Father and mankind forever. We see the God-man stooping to the lowest rank. He who is above all and over all, pledging to be lowest, to help us, who cannot help ourselves. Jehovah stepped into our world into the labor-field of grace. But for God to become man in the lowest bonds of servitude, is grace which none but Jesus' heart can know.

And His message to those in the congregation at Smyrna, were encouraged to know that He who has been our servant from the beginning of time would forever be with them in their struggles and hardships. And He says the same to us today.

Let me mention once again Philippians 2, where Jesus is called God, but then it tells us that He was willing to become a "bondservant" (Doulos - slave). Before the foundation of the earth, Christ was willing to become the lowest, in order that He might lift us out of our sin to again have a relationship with God.

I want you also to note how the apostle Paul begins the Book of Philippians, where he mentioned Christ becoming a bond slave. Look at the very first verse in this epistle.

Philippians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Paul calls himself and Timothy bondservants. Paul says the same at the beginning of a number of his other letters. James begins his letter similarly. Peter and Jude do as well.

The Book of Revelation begins in a similar manner. But it is slightly different. Instead of John stating he is a bondservant of Christ, it is Christ who states that John is His bondservant.

Revelation 1:1 NASB

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,

As we read that verse, we saw Jesus calling John his bondservant. But did you see another group of bondservants in this verse? "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants,…" Who are these? Unlike identifying the apostle John as His bond-servant later in this Passage, He does not identify who these bond-servants are, except to say that are HIS bond-servants.

Is He saying that only those who are His bond-servants will be able to understand this book? Is He speaking of those who would be the recipients of these letters? If so, I believe that includes us.

This leads me to ask, "Are you a bondservant of the Lord." In the spiritual sense, have your ears been pierced? Out of love and devotion to Christ, are you and willing to serve our master. Romans 6:17 says that we were once a slaves (doulos) of sin. Now we can become a bondservant of Christ.

Closing story

The time is early in the 1800s. And the unthinkable has happened. You're a slave. You still remember the day . . . years ago . . . when you stood half-naked on the auction block. You were humiliated. Men watching your every move - eyeing you closely.

"Is she strong enough?" one asks. "We could fatten her up a bit," another answers. "In less than a year, I'd have her plowing," the first one says. "Yep. Tie her up to my yoke, attach a harness and plow to her, and I'd have 40 more acres of corn." A human plow? You can't believe these heathens don't see your humanity.

Then, from the crowd of sweaty, cursing men, pushes a man who's smiling. It's not the greasy, chipped-tooth smile the others sport. There's something different about him. You catch his gaze. He never looks at your beaten body; he simply looks into your eyes . . . and he smiles.

Someone starts the bidding at $5. You can't bear to look. You're too humiliated. If only I could escape, you think. Oh, for a warm bath and clothes to cover my nakedness. Another ups the price. You're worth $7.50 now. Then $10. Your head is still hung in shame. The bidding has come down to two voices. You recognize the one belonging to the man who will turn you into a human plow. The other voice? You can't place it, but you don't dare raise your head.

The human plow guy is nervous. You can tell by the sound of his voice. Is he afraid he's going to lose? you wonder. "I'll give $52," he screams. The other voice counters the offer. Plow Man is angry. He's not used to being outbid. The numbers continue to increase. "I'll pay $71," he screams in desperation. The other voice, calmly increases his counteroffer.

Plow Man just might lose, you think. And you find yourself desperately hoping you won't have to make your home in his barn. You'll carry the scars of his whip. You'll never feel hope again.

"I don't know who you are, Mister," Plow Man snarls. "But if you know what's good for you, you'll leave now!" The other voice - ready to end the battle - matter-of-factly states, "I will never leave. I'm here to see this thing through. I'll pay any price. She's mine. I have chosen her."

You timidly glance up to see Plow Man rushing the other bidder. He violently throws him in the dust and raises a knife to the stranger's throat. Plow Man's a maniac! Oh, God, protect me! you desperately pray. The stranger - you can't figure it out, because you never saw him move, but now he is suddenly on top of Plow Man holding the knife to his throat. You can't see the stranger's face, but the plow guy is sweating so much on the dusty road, the dirt is turning to mud on his face. The stranger stabs the ground with the knife. Then he stands and says, "Get this through your head. She's mine. There is no price too high for me to pay."

Plow Man raises himself to his feet and pulls his knife from the ground. "You can have her," he hisses, "but this isn't over. When you least expect it, I'll take her from you!" He spits at the stranger's feet and leaves. The stranger turns around. You gasp. It's the guy with the gentle eyes and the warm smile. He pulls out a wad of bills - empties his wallet - and unchains your feet and hands.

"Here," he says, "wrap yourself in this." Flannel. Your favorite. Ahhh . . . it feels so soft against my filthy body. He doesn't put you in the back of his wagon. He has a place all ready for you up front - with him. On your way out of town, he stops at a tailor's. "Only the best," he says. "Make her fine clothing out of your best material. Spare no expense."

Days turn into weeks. And you can't believe your good fortune. You're a slave, but you're being treated like a queen. Your master has given you a king-sized bed in your own big room. He cares and provides for you more than you imagined. You're so grateful, you find yourself wanting to serve him. "What can I do for you, Master?" you ask. "Can I clean the barn? Can I plant seed?"

He smiles and takes you by the hand. "I'll show you how," he says. While you're working alongside your master, you try to concentrate on your good fortune of meeting such a wonderful friend, but you're haunted by the words of Plow Man: "This isn't over! When you least expect it, I'll take her from you!"

A month later, your master calls you into his office. "You've done a fine job here," he says - and his eyes glisten with pride for you. "But I bought you. You had no choice in the matter. I paid for you, and I brought you here as my own. I love you so much that I will not keep you against your will. You're free to go."

"But . . . I . . . " You're in shock. "I don't want to go, Master. I love you. I want to serve you."

"You're choosing to remain even though I've granted your freedom?"

"Yes, Master. I love you so much, I choose to be your slave forever."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. There's only one thing that frightens me." "What's that?" he asks. "Plow Man's threat to take me from you. If he kidnaps me, he'll attach his plow to my body. And no one will believe I really belong to you."

"Hmmm." The master was deep in thought. Then his eyes fasten onto yours, announcing a solution. "I will give you my mark," he declares, "so everyone will know you belong to me."

(I have to interrupt the story here. If I don't, you're gonna think, Yikes! He's gonna sear her flesh with a branding iron! Relax. That's not gonna happen. As the author, I'm in control of how the story continues, and I promise there's a really cool ending. But guess what - I'm not going to end the story. You are. That's right. YOU are in control of how this story ends. Let's get back to the present so you'll know what I'm talking about.)

Remember the Apostle Paul? When he wrote a letter to the folks in Philippi? This is how he began: "This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ's slave, chosen to be a missionary, and sent out to teach God's Good News" (The Living Bible). Paul willingly devoted himself to being Jesus Christ's slave. He knew what Jesus had saved him from, and he was so in love with Christ, he voluntarily chose to remain bonded to Him.

What About You?

Okay, you've never had to stand on an auction block. But Jesus Christ has paid a great price for you! He wants to snatch you away from Plow Man! It's as if Jesus opens wide the windows of heaven, parts the clouds, splits the sky right in half and announces to all creation, "I CHOOSE HER!" (Insert your own name here for greater effect.) "I want YOU to be on My team."

Paul's favorite way to identify himself was not to say he was a "Benjamite," or that he was a "Graduate of Gamaliel University," or even "Apostle of Jesus." Rather, he often identifies himself as Jesus' "bond-slave" (Rom. 1:1). Because of his persecution of Messiah's people, he deserved the judgment of God. And yet, Jesus forgave him and called him to a privileged role in his service! In response, Paul freely gave himself to Jesus as his slave. In a world where "slave" was a hated word, Paul gloried in calling himself Jesus' slave as a way of communicating how good and worthy Jesus was.

Some of our Bible translations tone this down from "slave" to servant. In the 21st century Christianity we have replaced the expression 'total surrender' with the word 'commitment,' and 'slave' with 'servant.' But there is an important difference. A servant gives service to someone, but a slave belongs to someone. We commit ourselves to do something, but when we surrender ourselves to someone, we give ourselves up."

Jesus is waiting for people who want to become to serve him for life and eternity. He has purchased you with the ultimate price. And if you and I are ready, He will put His mark on us.

Last Updated: Wednesday September 07 2011
©2001 John's Notes