Tag Archives: Teachings of Jesus

Re-Learning Belief

Jesus taught that we should consider carefully what we hear.  Then he taught that we need to consider carefully how we listen.  In both instances, Jesus instructed his followers to interact with him in two ways.  First, he had an expectation that his followers would engage with the content, meaning and implication of what he has taught.  Secondly, he had an expectation that his followers would recognise, identify and participate with the variety of communication methods he uses to instruct us.

In taking seriously the instruction to ‘consider carefully how we listen’ it becomes evident there is a wide spectrum on which we might respond to what we’ve heard.  For instance, at one end of the spectrum, we could respond with a confident, matter-of-fact faith that simply acts on the basis that Jesus means what he says (Lk 7.1-10, see post).  At the opposite end of the spectrum would be those who whole-heartedly rejected Jesus and completely disregarded what he said (Jn 11.47-50).  At some point on the spectrum would be the ones who heard his teaching, recognised his truth and responded but, at least for a time, weren’t overt in the way in which they lived out that belief (Jn 19.38, see post).  Most of us would land on the spectrum somewhere between the Centurion and those who tried to figure out how to live what they believed.

One of the things I’m humbled by – and asking Holy Spirit to help me in – is the wide variety of places I land on this spectrum, depending on the heart issue I’m investigating at any given time.  In some areas, I have heard Jesus’ words and find it somewhat easy to respond in a measure of confidence, peace or rest – because I have an assurance of how God has spoken to me or demonstrated himself.  Perhaps it was a past encounter or perhaps it was the clarity in which I heard him; but standing in these places my feet do not easily slip.

However, in other areas where I am learning to apply the lessons we’re discussing, I don’t feel as steady on my feet.  In some of these areas, I find myself unsteady; revisiting previous intentions, listening for wisdom that leads to stability.  Some of these areas, while they are not new, carry what feels like new lessons; as if the practice of considering carefully how I listen brings fresh instructions.  It’s as though, by taking his instruction more seriously the last few years, I’m re-learning how to believe what Jesus taught and thereby, discovering HIM more deeply.

I wish I could say I always live with the faith of the Centurion or the Syrophoenician woman.  But, I often relate with those who presented their need, expressed their confusion or admitted their lack of faith.  In these times, with desire for a deeper experience of what Jesus taught, the following stories help me refocus on the content of Jesus’ message and prompt me to consider more carefully how I listen.

When fear or doubt get in the way of belief:  “Don’t be afraid, just believe….” (Mark 5.36)

When I get frustrated with a lack of breakthrough, healing or change:  “I believe, help me overcome my unbelief… “  (Mark 9.24)

When I feel confused, uncertain, or at a loss for direction: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Believe God, Believe me also”  (Jn 14.1)

When I consider carefully what I hear and how I listen, many Scripture verses take on new meaning.  The freshness of HIS voice peels back the layers of familiarity and invites me into a deeper experience with HIS words.

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14.6)

 

I am learning to come to him, listen to what he says and then put his teachings into practice (see post).  I am on a journey of rediscovering the practice of trust, of faith, of belief.

Response of Faith

As we  learn to carefully consider what we hear, it may benefit us to look at examples of others.  We previously discussed how the writer of Hebrews painted a picture of those who did not consider what they had heard as having value and, therefore, did not combine it with faith.  By way of contrast, it will now be worth exploring examples of those who demonstrated a response of faith.

The New Testament is full of stories of people who came to Jesus for a healing or a miracle, which he provided for them.  But there are a few written accounts that absolutely amaze me.  These are situations in which Jesus himself said that the people would receive what they requested because of their faith.  Did you hear that?  In these situations the Bible doesn’t say, “Jesus had compassion on him and healed him.”  It says that in other places.  It doesn’t say, “Go and be healed of your disease”.  Again, that is in other passages.  No, in the situations mentioned below Jesus told each of the people involved it was THEIR FAITH that brought about the result they were seeking.

  • Woman with Bleeding (Mt 9.20-22; Mk 5.24-34)
  • Roman Centurion (Mt 8.5-10; Lk 7.1-10)
  • Syrophoenician Woman (Mt 15.21-28; Mk 7.24-30)

I have been spending a lot of time reading these stories and asking Holy Spirit to reveal what he was stirring in each person that prompted them to go to Jesus the way they did.  While each situation was different and each need was unique there are few things they all have in common.

Each request broke a social/cultural norm.  Each person had to step over a cultural boundary in making their request of Jesus.  But this boundary was not a small risk; they were putting everything on the line.  Imagine, the implications they faced!!  Because they received what they requested I would guess there were no negative social consequences – or, if there were, the people certainly didn’t care any longer.  But try putting yourself into their situation and consider the thought process they went through before they took the risk.

The woman with bleeding was considered unclean and, therefore, not allowed to be among a crowd in case she were to make everyone else ‘unclean’.   In addition, devout men would have gone to great lengths not to bump into a woman to prevent becoming accidentally unclean. By forcing her way through a crowd to touch Jesus, this woman crossed several social boundaries.

The Roman Centurion faced great risk to his career and his ability to maintain authority over his subordinates.  Ironically, this is the very understanding on which he based his request to Jesus.

The Syrophoenician Woman was a Gentile and, therefore, not considered part of God’s people; so not entitled to request anything of Jesus.  Further, as a Gentile, she would not have been allowed to enter the home of a Law-abiding Jewish person.  And, as a woman she was not considered of high enough standing for a Rabbi to speak with her.

Another thing they all have in common is, after the initial request, each person had a follow-up response to Jesus.  While this may not sound like a big step, it was.  Jesus was considered a Rabbi and the fact that so many people followed him and wanted to see him, his time was precious.  We can glean from the Gospel writers that Jesus was quick in his decision-making, direct with his questions and not overly concerned about pleasing everyone.  If someone had any hesitation in coming to him, a quick decision, a seemingly off-putting comment or a challenging question could have caused a person to second-guess their request.  But none of these people faltered under Jesus’ initial response.  They each responded to Jesus in a way that demonstrated to him they were operating in faith.

The way my mind works, it’s at this point I ask myself, what was going on in Jesus’ heart and his interactions with the Father as he listened to the person?  What language of the Spirit did he recognise from each person?  How did he move from agreeing to go to the Centurion’s house, to simply stating the man’s faith had granted him the request?   What was Jesus listening for when he reminded the woman that children must eat before the pets?  How did her response confirm that her heart was full of belief that he would grant her request?  And, how did his awareness of power leaving his body connect with the woman’s faith that pulled on that power?

I’m fascinated with all these stories and the way in which they can help us consider carefully how we listen.  Before these people approached Jesus they recognised something in what they heard about him or from his teaching.  And their response to what they heard, while it took great personal risk, demonstrated a belief in HIM that was greater than their obedience to cultural boundaries and understanding of personal circumstances.

Music in the Words

I grew up playing the drums – and I loved it!  As a teenager of the 1980’s in mid-west America I played all types of rock (classic, hard, glam, pop) and when I discovered fusion I was in my element.  For a few years everything, including my career aspirations, revolved around writing, playing and performing music.  In college I earned extra money by teaching drum lessons.  In these lessons one of the first exercises I did was to put on a song and ask the student to ‘feel’ the tempo and rhythm of the music.  It didn’t take long for me to see that some people have a natural ability, others have enough ability to be taught and others ….. well, they really like music.

It is an amazing thing to watch (and listen to) someone who has a natural musical ability – whether it be drums, vocals, strings, brass or woodwinds.  This person has an almost instinctive ability to ‘feel’ the music; not just hear it.  But, even those who don’t have an aptitude to play a musical instrument, most people have an appreciation for music.  The arrangement, the combination of melody, rhythm, lyric and tempo have a tendency to capture our hearts and transport us to a place that informs our emotions and inspires our thoughts.

When I think about Jesus’ instruction to consider carefully how I listen, I sometimes relate it to music.  The way my heart responds to a quality piece of music is analogous to the way my heart responds to the message of God.  Not the same, but the analogy may help us consider the process.

If I am to respond in faith to the message I hear then I must learn to allow my heart to respond – often before I allow my head to respond.   When I hear a new song, I try to allow myself to hear the entire piece without picking apart the different instruments – sometimes this is hard to do.  Even though a part of me wants to count the meter and dissect what the rhythm section are playing I have learned that my chances of appreciating a new song are stronger if my heart experiences it before I experience it with my head.

“It is with the heart you believe…”  It is within the heart music is felt and experienced.

When we hear the words of God, it is crucial that we learn to engage with our heart.  Hearing with our ‘head’ – through reason, logic and understanding – is not bad.  On the contrary, it is good; and necessary.  But, sometimes, it is limited.

Our hearts are bigger than our heads.  So, when I hear the words of God, I am learning to resist the urge to dissect the revelation with my reason just so I can place it neatly in the filing cabinet of my understanding.  On the contrary, I am learning to hear the words of God with my heart so I can respond with the faith that is quickened by my spirit.  To do this, I must learn to recognise how my heart listens to the melody and rhythm contained in the words of God.

I am learning to pay more attention to how I listen.

Hearts that Hear

How do I listen?  In what ways do I enable my heart to listen?  Or, possibly more important, how does my spirit listen?  How aware am I of the connection between my heart and my spirit so I can be more attentive to the promptings of my spirit?

We previously looked at the verse in Hebrews which said, the people did not consider the message of value because they did not combine it with faith (Hb 4.2).  This verse has several implications, but one implication is that the message we hear can actually lead us into a faith response – if we can understand how we listen.

The people did not combine faith to what they heard because they didn’t recognise the faith which came through the message they heard.  The message of God’s goodness and provision of redemption fell on deaf ears (so-to-speak) because the hearts of the people were hard (Hb 3.15).  Even though God’s words are Spirit and Life the people did not ‘hear’ because their hearts had been hardened through unbelief (Hb 3.19).

This raises a question for me.  Had their hearts not been hard, could they have responded differently?  If they had an element of unbelief, but had not yet gone fully into a hard heart, would they have responded differently?  It may be difficult to answer for that specific group of people.  But, I don’t think their descent has to be assumed as a general rule for all people.  Those people were unaware of ‘how to listen’ but I think the scenario could be different if someone had the smallest element of belief – even if it is mustard seed small.

I am convinced there is a link between belief and the response of the heart.  A heart that is sensitive to the different ways God speaks is able to listen, able to hear and able to choose to combine faith to what it hears.

What’s even more encouraging about this is that God has told us faith (belief) is not solely our responsibility.  The words of God are Spirit and Life, and when the soft heart hears the words of God, our spirit awakens to the essence and substance of God contained in the message and responds with belief.  This is, I believe, part of what happens when Paul says that faith comes by hearing (Rom 10.17).

 

Consider Carefully & Train the Senses

Giving careful consideration to how I listen is a challenge.  It’s a little bit like trying to identify how I think, or the way I choose one option over another.

In my lighter moments I think of the old Kung-Fu films I watched as a boy.  No matter what else was happening in any given film, there was always a scene in which the young apprentice was left dazed and confused by the wisdom of the Master Teacher.  Characteristically, the Master rarely explained himself to the apprentice, he merely waited until the apprentice was ready to hear the deeper pearls of wisdom.

I realise this analogy falls short on a lot of levels but there are similarities in what we’re discussing.  How we listen, how we understand the many ways we hear and perceive God, is a tool that will enable us to mature in relationship with God.

The author of Hebrews made a statement that is a little unsettling.  He told his readers that what he had to say was hard to explain because they (his readers) had become dull in their understanding (Hb 5.11).  He told them they were still in need of someone to teach them the basic elements of the word of God and went on to say they were unacquainted with the word of righteousness (Hb 5.13).

Imagine hearing that!  “Young Grasshopper, you are unfamiliar with the Word of God!  Because of your dullness, the things you must learn will be hard for you to understand.”

His statement in verse 14 is the one that has captured my attention.  “But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice…” (NRSV).   The Greek could be literally translated ‘faculties of perception’.  Another English version (NAS) translates this by saying, ‘having their senses trained’.

Whichever translation we choose to read, the significance of this phrase reinforces that practice and training are necessary if we are to grow into maturity.  If training and practice are required, there is an implication that we may not always discern correctly when it comes to hearing the Word of righteousness.  That means there is an element of trying to identify what we sense in our heart and being willing to learn from our mistakes when we don’t get it correct.  (A further implication is that those who lead have a responsibility to support, encourage and provide safe structures for people to grow in this.)

But regardless of what anyone else does, it is my obligation to engage in this training of my senses (faculties of perception).  I do so, not because I want to be the next Master of the Christian dojo.  I do so because I want to grow into maturity and deepen my relationship with the One whom I believe.  I do so because I want to be open to any and all the ways he may choose to speak to me.

 

Hearing the Word & Receiving the Seed

As we embark on the journey of recognising the importance of WHO we believe as opposed to WHAT we believe, the principle of applying faith to what we hear is a central component.

On one hand, since we’re more focused on WHO rather than WHAT, it can sound contradictory to say that we apply faith in the message we hear.  The question could be asked, ‘Shouldn’t we apply faith in God, rather than in the message we hear from God?’  But there doesn’t need to be any contradiction in this.

When God speaks, his message reveals an aspect of his nature.  Because of who he is, his message carries his life-giving essence and the substance of his Spirit (Jn 6.63).  This could be a reason the Apostle Paul said, “Faith comes by hearing” (Rom 10.17).

I think of the process in this way. When we hear the message from God the soft heart is predisposed to recognise the life and substance of God contained within the words we hear.  With the recognition of this aspect of God’s nature, faith is stirred within our spirit which enables the heart to respond in faith.  It’s as if the words of God contain the active ingredient which causes our spirit to respond with faith.  Remember, as we’ve discussed, faith is the by-product of belief.

In a few places, Scripture describes the word of God as the ‘seed’ of God (the Greek word used here is “sperma” [1 Jn 3.9]).  In the natural systems of reproduction, the role of the seed is to fertilise the egg.  Imagine that our faith is the ‘egg’ which is fertilised by the ‘seed’ of God.  When we combine our faith with the seed of God, a deeper awareness of his nature is conceived within our hearts.

In the natural, life must be cared for and nurtured.  In the same way, we need to learn how to nurture the newly received revelation in order to integrate it into our lives and decision-making.  It’s as if the newly grasped revelation needs to develop within the womb of our soul.

How Do I Listen?

Two of the gospel writers tell the same story in a slightly different way.  Mark writes that Jesus said, “Consider carefully what you hear” (Mk 4.24).  But Luke, in his retelling, writes the words of Jesus this way, “Consider carefully how you listen” (Lk 8.18).

The general context of Luke’s version is much the same as the context in which Mark tells the story.  In both gospels, Jesus is teaching that what is hidden will be brought out into the open so it is important to consider carefully how (or what) you hear.  Both authors even use the same Greek words for consider carefully (it can also be translated as “be careful”, or “pay attention”).

The difference between the two versions is in the grammatical construction.  Mark clearly uses ‘what’ and Luke clearly uses ‘how’.  The translations of these are not interchangeable nor are they usually interpreted the same.  So, it would appear, each author intended to communicate a different perspective on the same story.  Mark wanted us to think about ‘what’ we hear.  And Luke, wanted us to think about ‘how’ we hear.  Fascinating.

Before coming across this statement in the book of Luke I don’t know if I ever really gave consideration to how I listened.  Sure, I’ve thought about the mechanics of how – my employers have even paid for me to take personal development courses designed to help me become a better listener.  But somehow, I don’t think Jesus was indicating that he wanted us to use NLP strategies or reflective listening principles.

In the natural I can look at ways to break down the listening process. In the first part, we listen by hearing words which convey thoughts, concepts and ideas that articulate a message with a particular meaning.  The second part of listening, is when we use logic and reason to judge the validity and accuracy of what we hear against accepted principles or facts.

I’m also aware of times when I’ve been able to listen beyond the words of what someone is saying in order to understand the ‘heart’ of what they’re saying.  But, in these circumstances, I can often explain my ‘discernment’ by reading their non-verbal cues, listening to the tone of their voice, or asking Holy Spirit for wisdom to understand the person’s needs.

But, somehow, I don’t think that is what Jesus is getting at when he says to consider carefully how we listen.  Perhaps he is telling us to be a little more aware of how we judge the validity or accuracy of what we hear.  Perhaps he is warning us about the way in which we tend to filter what we hear through the paradigm of what we think we understand.

But, these considerations seem to put more emphasis on listening with the mind.  And in biblical perspectives, the heart plays a greater role in discerning than does the mind.  So, I’m left sensing that Jesus is saying something more.  I can’t help concluding that he is trying to get us to consider the role our heart plays in how we hear what God is saying?

 

The mind will usually attempt to break down what we hear into something we can easily comprehend or categorise.  We often seek understanding in order to have an explanation – and we often find a type of peace when we can explain something, or when it “makes sense”.

But the heart has a greater capacity for spiritual engagement; it has a different way of understanding.  The understanding of the heart often embraces ideas, concepts or principles that we cannot yet explain.  It is through this embrace that we discover more of the ‘peace that passes understanding’ (Phil 4.7).

Consider carefully how I listen.

 

Consider Carefully What You Hear

Even though we began by looking at this idea from the book of Hebrews, it was Jesus who established the importance of giving careful consideration to what we hear when he said, “Consider carefully what you hear” (Mk 4.24).

There is something about the way Jesus says this that causes me to want to slow everything down in order to think through what I’ve heard from him.  I feel a seriousness; a weightiness when I contemplate this instruction.  There is an implication that, once I’ve heard something, I have a responsibility to do something with it.  Once I’ve heard Jesus’ teaching, I have a decision to make.  It’s as though hearing the words of Jesus gives me ownership – I either accept them or reject them.  A part of me wants to ask if there is room or time for setting aside some of his instructions to deliberate later; but, at the same time, I feel that isn’t really an option I want to pursue.

Jesus made this statement just before he said. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you…whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Mk 4.24-25).  So, he really is reinforcing the responsibility of using what we’ve been given – what we’ve heard.

What I’ve heard from Jesus must be believed, acted on and integrated into my life.   And, the more I put it into practice, the more I will get.  However, a decision not to put into practice what I hear results in losing what I had.

There is a part of me that reacts against this idea.  There is something about it that seems unfair.  Wouldn’t it be better to simply say that the amount of benefit one gets is in direct proportion to the amount one decides to use?  If I use less, then I get less.  If I use more, then I get more.  That sounds fair.

But that’s not how things work in God’s economy – especially when it comes to the teachings of Jesus.  Jesus’ words are much too valuable.  His message is far too important.

I recall the words of a pastor-friend who, when someone learns something new, says, “You need to use it or you’ll lose it”.

Maybe I’m taking this all a bit too personally.  Yes, Jesus spelled out these things quite specifically; there is no denying the seriousness of his teaching and it does tie-in with what was said by the author of Hebrews (see post).  But, rather than it being interpreted negatively, could it be that Jesus is giving us a motivation to listen beyond the surface of what we hear?  Could it be that he is encouraging us to dig more deeply into the content of what he is saying?

Just before Jesus tells us to consider carefully what we hear, he tells us that everything that has been hidden is meant to be disclosed and whatever is concealed is to be brought out into the light (Mk 4.22).

While we have a responsibility to obey and live up to what Jesus has commanded and instructed, the other side of the coin is that we have a responsibility to uncover the truths he has hidden within his words for us to find.

This sounds remarkably like what the Father said, “The secret things belong to God but the things revealed belong to man” (Dt 29.29) and “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter but the glory of kings to search out a matter” (Pr 25.2).

This perspective completely changes my understanding of Jesus’ original statement.  If we consider carefully, using the measure we’ve been given in order to search for the secrets that have been hidden for us to discover, then more will be added to us.  If we don’t consider carefully what we’ve heard, then we are not likely to search out the deeper secrets.  In this case, it’s as if we have considered the message of no value, because we have not combined it with faith.

Consider carefully what you hear.  Yes, it sounds weighty; but it also provides a clue to treasures buried within his words.

Combine Faith to What We Hear

“For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine it with faith” (Hb 4.2)

I’ve never been one for holding onto things I rarely use or feel I don’t need.  Recently I cleared a few boxes out of the attic and was surprised at some of the things I found.  Stored away in boxes were a few valuable gifts we had received from some extremely generous friends.  As I looked through the rediscovered treasures, I recalled having stored them for safe-keeping during our house move a number of years ago – I had then forgotten all about them after the move.  I felt bad when I found them.  I felt as though I hadn’t valued the gifts.  Even worse, I felt that by forgetting the gift I was, in some way, not honouring the person who gave them to us.

In circumstances like moving house I can understand how some things can be put away and forgotten over the years, even high-value items.  But, what about the really important things we come across on a daily basis?  How is it that we can, seemingly, not place value on these things?

The writer of Hebrews gives a stark warning to those of us who have chosen to disregard or not pay attention to the message we have heard.  But in giving the warning he also provides a key to help us learn how to not find ourselves in that situation.

The author warns the readers not to harden their hearts when they hear the voice of Jesus (Hb 3.15).  He then explains a process of how someone’s heart becomes hard (3.16-19).  If we take the sequence in reverse, the deterioration toward a hard heart looks like this:

Unbelief  —  Disobedience —  Sin  —  Rebellion  —  Hard Heart

So, unbelief is the start of the downward spiral that, if not interrupted, can lead to a hardened heart.  Notice the initial question in v.16; “Who were they who heard and rebelled?”.  This means the people he’s talking about had heard from God.  They had heard God’s words but chose not to pay careful attention to what they heard.  This lack of attention, added to unbelief, put them on the slippery slope toward a hard heart.

But, this trajectory wasn’t automatic.  The people could have chosen to believe the message and enter the path that leads to life.  If they had considered the message important, that it had intrinsic value and was worthy of their attention, they could have avoided the spiritual disaster of hard hearted rebellion.  But the author says that the message was “of no value to them because they did not combine it with faith” (4.2).

Wow!  They considered the message – the words of God – of no value.  I find myself asking, ‘how could anyone decide that the words of God have no value?’  But, before I begin the self-righteous parade, I must consider my own history.  How often have I disregarded the words of God?  How many times have I not placed appropriate value on the instructions of Jesus?  If the words of Jesus could be boxed and stored away, how many valuable teachings would I find in the attic of my heart?

Faith is an intrinsic component of belief.  When we believe a message, we apply faith to it. When we don’t believe a message, we have no faith to apply.  If we say we believe a message, but don’t apply faith to it, I wonder if we truly believe it – or do we just like the sound of what we’ve heard?

Attributing value is a key God provides to help us avoid the trap of unbelief.   Let us learn to recognise the value of what we hear from God, choose to believe him and apply faith to what we hear.

Forgetting or Paying Attention

There are some things that I rarely seem to forget.  Rarely will I go a morning without having a mug of coffee.  Unfortunately, I am one of those who get a slight headache by noon if I haven’t had a coffee.  (I know, that’s telling me something…).

Sometimes I forget things that are important.  Sometimes I forget things when I leave the house in a rush.  My wife is accustomed to me coming back into the house a few minutes after I left because I forgot my phone, my watch or my wallet.  On a more important level, I am prone to forgetting people’s birthdays and anniversaries.  This doesn’t bother some people, yet I would like to remember so I can communicate how much they mean to me on their special day.  But I still forget.

Sometimes, when I read Scripture I realise I’ve forgotten an important part of the message Jesus delivered.   How could I forget something of such importance?  How is it that a component of such good news could fall outside my intention and focus?  Perhaps I hadn’t taken it seriously…?  Maybe I didn’t really understand it in the first place…?  Is it possible I had not given it priority in my heart or thinking…?

In thoughts like this I am reminded of what the author of Hebrews said, “we must pay more careful attention to what we have heard”.

If I paid more careful attention to what I’ve heard from Jesus, maybe I wouldn’t forget so much of what he said.  Could it be that the ups & downs I face in my attempts to become like Jesus would become less extreme if I paid more attention to what I’ve heard from him?  Is it possible that if I gave more careful attention to the message Jesus spoke, my pursuit of becoming more like him may become more consistent?

“We must pay more careful attention to what we have heard” (Hb 2.1)