Can You Listen?

I went to a small 2 year Bible school and was privileged to sit under some of the most high-profile leaders in the Christian community today.

I can still remember the day very clearly when I heard one of my favorite sermons. The well-respected speaker looked unassuming till he opened his mouth and began his message:

"Jesus didn't die for you!"

WHAT! This guy was a heretic! What was he talking about? "Jesus didn't die for me?" Was he out of his mind!

I remember getting so angry, and thinking: "I'm going to prove this guy wrong!" All I needed was a little more meat from what he was going to say, and I was sure I could rip him to shreds with my "expert handle on theology and the Bible." I mean who did this guy think he was? "Jesus didn't die for me?" Yeah right!

I started listening very carefully, because I wanted to take good notes. This guy was a certifiable nut-case, and I was going to show him so!

My notes got fewer and fewer, as I sat and listened to one of the most profound messages that I have ever heard. (And I might add one of the most important.)

At the end of the message, I consented. HE WAS RIGHT! "Jesus didn't die for me," and that was a good thing!

Someone once said, "in order to get someone to listen, you first have to damage their hearing."

That's what happened that day. My hearing was damaged. I was so offended at what I heard that I started listening intently. And today I'm glad I did.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Jesus didn't die for you either!