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Week 4: Listening to the Son
Red Letter Edition
Week 4, Day 4
In order to emphasize the priority of listening more attentively to the words of the Son, some editions of the Bible present all words spoken by Jesus, printed in red letters. Today’s listening exercise is thus referred to as the “Red Letter Edition,” because we will be listening only to the words of the Son. Read the following words of Jesus as He demonstrates His authority, compassion, power, and love. Listen to His words as they were spoken during His time here on earth and picture Him saying them to you today. We already looked at His seven “I AM” statements from the book of John during week 1, so today, we will focus on some of His sayings in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
“You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matt. 8:26)
“Follow me” (Matt. 9:9).
“Do you believe I am able to do this?” (Matt. 9:28)
“Do not be afraid...” (three times in Matt. 10:26-30).
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39).
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matt. 26:41).
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Week 4: Listening to the Son
Sin-clogged ears
Week 4, Day 3
My hearing was excellent. Or so I thought. While in college, I had my ears checked and the audiologist informed me that my hearing was not as stellar as I had projected. She further clarified that part of my problem was the wax buildup clogging my ear canal. Not knowing that my ears were clogged, my pride mirrored the waxy hindrance to my listening. I was so confident that my hearing was just fine that I was not open to hearing that there was any problem. The Pharisees and teachers of the law had a similar problem. And the strongest admonition or tongue-lashing that Jesus issued was to the sin-clogged ears of this group of people. Christ’s language in Matthew 23 is clear and uncompromising in His disdain for their hypocritical actions and attitudes (v. 27-28, ESV). 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.