“Mr. Helle! Could I have your complete attention?” The entire class turned to look at me. I had purposely sat in the back so I could talk to this girl I liked, and Mr. Miller did not have my complete attention.

Let’s face it — not everyone in this world is worth listening to. For the many who are worthy of our listening ear, we frequently find it difficult to listen if their delivery is monotonous and uninspiring.

When I attended The Basic School shortly after being commissioned, we had a few “uninspiring” classes, to be sure. During one class, and I don’t remember the topic (see? uninspiring), one of the lieutenants asked the instructor a question. The instructor droned on for about five minutes and then responded, “Lieutenant, does that answer your question?” Awkward silence. “Lieutenant?” Every student in the class turned toward the back of the classroom to see the lieutenant, chin propped in his hands, silently dozing away! The poor guy was one of the oldest ones in the course, and he had five young children, so while his peers were sympathetic, an embarrassed platoon commander had some choice words for him.

Let me tell you who is at the top of my list of people to listen to: King Jesus! In the Book of Matthew, we see Jesus taking Peter, James, and John to a mountaintop where He was transfigured before them. Jesus is having a conversation with Moses and Elijah— two Old Testament heavy hitters! These three fishermen were at a loss for words. Peter wanted to pitch three tents. “A bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.‘” (Matthew 17:5, ESV)

That is by far the best possible endorsement.

Peter, despite his occasional fumbles, understood this perfectly well. In the Book of John, we see Jesus speaking some difficult things to the crowd that had been following Him. John tells us, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So, Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’” (John 6:66-69)

Jesus frequently ended His teaching sessions with the admonition, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” The conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount came with some amplifying details. “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

Jesus tells us hearing alone is not enough. We must be obedient to the message. On another occasion, “He said to them, 'Pay attention to what you hear.‘” (Mark 4:24)

So, the next time you sit down with your Bible open, remember to ask the One Who not only inspired the Word but was Himself “the Word become flesh” (John 1:14) to reveal Himself and His will for you. Then, as God told Peter, James, and John, “Listen to Him!” He has “the words of eternal life!”

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!