It is a simple phrase yet profoundly Jesus: "Hear and understand." This is what Jesus tells the crowds as recorded in Matt.15:10 and Mark 7:14. He has turned from the Jewish leaders who have so much difficulty understanding anything outside of their own preconceived ideas, their traditions. Jesus recognizes that these leaders have "over thunk it." They have constructed intricate systems of man-made traditions and it makes perfect sense to them so that His pouring new wine into these tired and dry wine skins will simply cause them to burst. But, Jesus hopes that there may be some in the crowd less entrenched in the traditions and more honest in their need for sincere and simple faith in One greater than themselves that he entreats them to "hear and understand." Let the word "understand" sink in. I had one tell me recently, "I just do not want to be misunderstood." The Animals sung it decades ago, "Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood." Why is that so important to us? Because we were made to know and be known. Our well-being is tied up in being understood.
The word Jesus uses means to "send together." It is a place where things come together, a junction. In electrician lingo it is a junction box. In train lingo it is Petticoat Junction, where the trains come together. In spiritual lingo it is a place where we truly understand what Jesus is saying, we GET IT. Oh that we all could just GET IT! But not any ole "it" but the "it" that Jesus is teaching us. In 1 Corinthians 13:12 Paul says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know fully just as I also have been fully known." To be "fully known" is what we want and need. We already are understood by the only One who can completely understand us, our Creator. Our quest to know Him even as He knows us is what should drive the Christian. This is the quest for eternal life (John 17:3).
How Christians need to stop and listen! How Christians need to sit for long periods of time at the feet of Jesus, ask Him questions, take notes, consider carefully His words, and not assume that we already GET IT. A fresh gaze is needed daily. Small bites of truth should be consumed and digested so that it becomes a part of our being and thinking. This business of communication is God's means to connect with man. Communication precedes communion and communion precedes community. The bond between us is our common understanding of spiritual things. This understanding is sweet.
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