Listening to the un-analyzed Meaning

 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

48“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” (John 1)

Thoughts: Tonight at our church Dr. Richard Burnett had a great point on listening to the scriptures and to each other.  He pointed out that we, as modern people, by our research and expertise think we have been able to fully understand the background of people and sift through what they say.  So, for example, someone says Martin Luther had a psychological problem with his father which is why he said what he did about the authority of the church.  We analyze where a person is from economically, psychologically, socially, politically, theologically, and then figure out if we should listen to them or not.  So we over-analyze without really listening to what they say.  So someone from New York is said to have "New York values" and that is why they say what they say.  Or someone who is a white southern girl has to have a certain viewpoint.  Or someone with an African-American background has to act or believe certain things.  We shouldn't say to someone who says something every time- "I know what you said, but this is what you meant."  Sometimes we need to listen to what people say.
     In this passage in John 1, Nathanael was pegging Jesus as someone who shouldn't be heard.  But just because Jesus was from this country town did not mean he shouldn't be heard.  People should be heard no matter where they are from.  
     Let us be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.  Let us not be quick to judge what someone "really means" but listen to what they are saying (this is somewhat true in politics today too).  We are too skeptical, critical,analytical in our society.  There is a sense where we need to be able to listen at face value to what others (and the scriptures) say.

Prayer: Lord, let me listen intently and truly.  Give me wisdom to discern your will and your word.