Scripture
47After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. 48But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said. Luke 19:47-48
Observation
To listen closely, to be very attentive, to not miss a word. This is how the people were responding to the teachings of Jesus. They listened as if their lives depended on it. Yet, in contrast, the ones who taught the law couldn’t hear a single word He said. They just wanted to end his life instead of receiving his words of life. There’s a similar passage in John 7: “13Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews. 14 About halfway through the feast, Jesus went up to the temple courts and began to teach. 15 The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied? 16“My teaching is not My own, Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. 17If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.” Jesus was hanging on every word His Heavenly Father was saying and the people were hanging on every word Jesus was saying and those who thought they knew everything couldn’t stand it when he talked.
Application
I used to read of the Pharisees and condemn them in my head with the idea that I could never do something like that. Legalism, pride, fear, control, etc. were the very things that kept them from hearing Jesus and, as it turns out, are the very things that keep me from hearing Jesus as well. They wanted to kill the Word of Life because Jesus messed up their plans to control the narrative about the Messiah. Nothing kills my relationship with Jesus quicker than when I cling to my words and my plans over His. The painful truth is that my occupation as a religious leader can, more often than not, align me with the pitfalls of the Pharisees. I love Jesus but I also love my plans. Sometimes, I have to admit, I will be hesitant to even pray through a decision because I don’t want Jesus to tell me something different than what I want to hear. How ridiculous is that? Yep. It’s just pride. It’s control. It’s a dependency upon my words rather than His. Yet, when I’m in a place of complete dependency, a place where I have no idea what do next, you had better believe I’m hanging on over word. When I was taking my driver's test I was very attentive to every word my instructor said because I desperately wanted that license. When my pre-marriage counselor taught on how to have a healthy marriage I was leaning on because I didn’t understand women… and still don’t for that matter! When the doctor was about to send us home with our first son and told us how to feed and care for him you better believe I was hanging on every word… I couldn’t believe they were just putting this new life in my arms and sending me home unsupervised. When buying our first home, when learning to make latte’s as a barista at Starbucks, when earning my Masters in Formational Leadership… I was taking notes, leaning in, asking clarifying questions, and more. When waiting in line at the Israeli, Jordan border crossing looking at the armed guards eyeballing me underneath their hats I listened like my life depended on it. Failure to follow the very specific procedures required could have resulted in my being detained and questioned. What makes me think I don’t need to pay at least the same amount of attention to Jesus today? I’ve never lived this day before. He’s already been where I’m about to go. He’s the expert. I’m the novice. The Pharisees were pretty sure they had the world all figured out and therefore missed every word Jesus was saying. The best leaders are the best learners. The best learners are the best listeners. I may have an idea of how this day will turn out but I’m going to lean in to Him to make sure I don’t miss a thing.
Prayer
If there’s any year that should teach me to walk in humility it’s this one! Nothing has turned out the way I expected and yet You knew exactly how it was going to play out. Lord, forgive me for the pride that would cling to my words over Yours. You are speaking all the time it’s just that too often I’m not paying attention. Let me hear Your words so I can share Your words because the last thing people need is empty words. I’m leaning in, I’m letting go, I’m trusting You.
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