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Listening Like Jesus

 

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who entered the discussion with a preconceived notion about the subject matter? Maybe they also had a specific desired outcome for the exchange. They wanted you to change your mind or be swayed to their point of view. They were so set in their way of thinking that they didn't really listen to what you were saying. Of course you have! We have all encountered this situation. Sometimes we are even THAT person, entering the conversation without an open mind or heart.

 

Last week, I had a conversation with someone who wanted to know my theological stance on a group of people. I knew the conversation was going to be difficult before it even began. So, I prayed and asked God to help me truly listen and to ask questions of this person with a genuine desire to understand them, their motivation, their heart, and the circumstances that brought them to this way of thinking and living. I will be honest with you. I had to remind myself of this prayer a number of times during our conversation. This person made numerous comments about people that just made me cringe, and I could even feel my blood pressure rising at various moments. Ever feel that way?

 

When I felt it was time to wrap up this exchange, I realized I hadn't asked many questions that would help me understand this person, whose bitterness and anger were palpable. So I said, "Let me ask you this. Have you ever had a true, meaningful conversation with a _______ person? Have you ever invited someone to coffee and said, 'Let me try to understand you and what makes you the person that you are?'" This person tried to evade the question, so I asked it again, and they said, "No! Why would I ever have a conversation with a person like that?"

 

Jesus modeled how to lovingly listen to the people around him, all people! He had meaningful conversations and relationships with tax collectors, thieves, adulterers, and people of every walk of life. Listening like Jesus affirms people and acknowledges their personhood. There are numerous times when Jesus would stop on his journeys, or even from his preaching, to engage people, like the Woman at the Well, Matthew the Tax Collector, and many people struggling with mental illness. He stopped to engage with them, hearing them and healing them while acknowledging them as valuable when others didn't.

 

For us to listen like Jesus might mean putting away our phones, ignoring the crowds around us, and suspending our preconceived notions about people so we can listen intently to the one person who needs to feel heard. In the process, maybe, just maybe, we might also be transformed ourselves.

 

Jesus said, "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me." (Matthew 10:40)

 

 

Grace and Peace

-Pastor Madeline