Are You Really Hearing Jesus?
Or are you only hearing what you want to hear?
Jesus knew many of His listeners were hearing His words - but not really understanding.
They only heard what they wanted to hear.
This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Matthew 13:13-15)
Some people listened to the Lord and heard His teaching - but they heard it through the filter of their own preconceived ideas.
They saw Jesus’ miracles - but only saw them for what they wanted them to mean, rather than truly listening to Jesus and trying to understand Him.
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. (John 6:14-15)
Are you really hearing Jesus?
Or are you only hearing what you want to hear?
This is a challenge for all of us.