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).
“I am willing,” he said, “Be clean!” (Mark 1:41)
“Quiet! Be still!” (to the winds and the waves, Mark 4:39)
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (to the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, Mark 5:34).
“Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
“Take it; this is my body... This is my blood of the covenant...” (Mark 14:22, 24).
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” (to a demon, Luke 4:35)
“Don’t cry” (to a widow who lost her son, Luke 7:13).
“What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).
“Well done my good and faithful servant” (Luke 19:17).
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Which sayings of Jesus did you most need to listen to today?
Additional notes, thoughts, or drawings from listening to the words of the Son:
We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what you are hearing and how you are growing in your devotion to listening.
This blog post is taken from the book Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion. To order a copy of this book, please visit our website and invite a friend to participate in the study with you. The book includes additional guides and questions to be reviewed in a small group context weekly.