Do you sometimes have the problem when someone is speaking to you, of not really listening and understanding what is being said? The problem could be that you are distracted by something else going on while they are speaking. Unfortunately, I have experienced this on occasions! When I realize I have done this and can’t remember what was said to me, I have to ask the person to repeat what they have said. This situation can be quite uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Betty and I have done quite a lot of traveling on tours overseas. We have visited many cities and small villages and usually had a local guide to show us around. These guides would load us up with so much information - such as statistics on population, unemployment, wages, cost of houses, significant dates in the places’ histories, famous people of the area, wars etc. etc.
The guide we had on a tour through the mountains of Wicklow in Ireland, made an interesting statement (I cannot remember the exact figures quoted, but you will get the idea). He said that at the end of that day’s tour when we alighted from the bus, we would probably remember about 60% - 80% of what he had said. By nighttime, we will have remembered about 30% - 40%. In another week’s time, we will have remembered only 5% - 10% of what he had told us. Interesting isn’t it?
From past experience we found the guide’s statement to be true. For example, the guides would give us directions in our free time as to the time and meeting place for us to come together again, to return to our bus or ship. Not one minute after these directions were given, people were asking for the same information! What a lesson in listening and understanding!
We learn from listening: - “Blessed are those who listen, for they shall learn” – wrote an unknown author. And another writer has indicated that there is a fringe benefit from listening: “Good listeners are not only popular everywhere, but after a while they know something.”
On one occasion, Jesus finds himself confronting the purity codes of the Pharisees as they raise issues regarding the disciples eating their food with “common hands”. That is, they were eating without going through the traditional form of ceremonial washing. This questioning upset Jesus so much that he called these Scribes and Pharisees, ‘hypocrites’ and condemned them for holding on to the traditions of men and letting go of God’s commandments.
In the midst of this tension, Jesus calls out to the crowd and says, "Listen to me and understand." Jesus went on to say, that it is not what goes into us that is unclean, but what we do and how we treat others, that is the problem. Our social behaviors become acts of injustice that defile what God has given.
Do we listen to what the world says is right, or do we listen to understand what Jesus calls us to do?
What is Jesus saying to us today? The same words he uttered to the crowd 2,000 years ago – “Listen and understand.”
And you know the words that Jesus speaks to us, are not like the words of a tourist guide, full of statistics and data that becomes information overload. They are words that are plain and simple. Listen and understand some of the truths Jesus is saying to us: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, might, mind and strength; Love your neighbour as yourself; Have faith in God; Believe in God, believe also in me; Preach the gospel; Search the scriptures; Repent; Do this in remembrance of me. These words are described in an old hymn as the “Wonderful Words of Life.”
The utterances of Jesus, challenge us to live lives that should form part of our Christian service. The words spoken to us by our friends are also important for us to heed, as they will lead to closer and friendlier relationships. May God’s blessings be with each of us as we continue to develop the abilities of listening and understanding.