Week 4: Listening to the Son
It’s a Matter of Perspective
Week 4, Day 7
Compliments and cut downs. Constructive criticism and complaints. For good or for ill, we hear what we want to hear—or at least what we think we have heard. If someone offers a compliment, we may not hear it in the spirit it was shared. The tone of voice, speaker, timing, and many other factors play into our interpretation of the other person’s words. We filter our listening through our perceptions, our past experiences, and our warped understanding. Two people can say the exact same thing, but we hear it better from one person than from the other. We also hear things better when they are presented from a different angle or highlight things in a way we can more easily understand. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John did that. They each shared the story of Jesus, but did so with different audiences and perspectives in mind.
Why do we have the gospel story shared in four different books?
Matthew wrote to the Jews about Jesus, the Messiah—the fulfillment of the prophecies and the One who established the kingdom.
Mark gave an action-packed account of how the people were amazed at all Jesus did.
Luke chose a more Gentile audience who was not familiar with the Jewish traditions and longed to hear other details highlighted during Jesus’ time on earth.
John focused more on who Jesus is and all He represents as the great I AM, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us.
Each of the four gospels provides unique insight into Jesus and His time on earth. At different times in my life, one of those unique perspectives has spoken to me more than another. A small group Bible study member once compared the gospels to four different puzzles. They each display a different picture and if you try to fit the pieces of one puzzle into the frame of another, it doesn’t work. John presents a more thematic than chronological approach, for example. And since Luke is speaking to the Gentiles and Matthew to the Jews, their views on different events are seen from distinct directions. What a blessing that we have these four accounts of our Savior’s time on earth! The story of Christ would be incomplete if we didn’t have these four perspectives.
Which perspective most resonates with you currently, or which one do you feel you most need to listen to?
Jesus did not hesitate to say exactly what needed to be said, do what needed to be done, teach what needed to be taught, or clarify what had been confused. He did not cater to what others’ itching ears needed to hear. However, He did consider His audience. Read these four versions of the same story, as found in the four gospels. We can use a similar approach to listening when we refer to different versions or translations of the Bible. If you notice any differences or apparent discrepancies, listen to them as unique perspectives and insights.
Matthew 20:20-28
Mark 10:35-45
Luke 22:24-27
John 13:12-17
Additional notes, thoughts or drawings from listening to 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.