Lessons from the Heart
Have you heard Jesus' voice?
By Pastor Micah Hudson

Is there a person whose every word keeps your attention? Maybe it's the voice of a parent, a spouse, or a friend whom you respect. I have always found myself listening to my father's voice . . . since I have grown older. I hang on his every word of advice and counsel . . . now. Yet, I can remember many times during my teen years when his words of instruction, like, "You better not drive too fast;" or, "You should take your work seriously," were ignored. Like most sons I have not always found myself paying attention to my father's voice.

Do you know that Jesus' voice has the ability to speak to our lives? Even when we are not paying attention, his voice has the ability to break through to us in a powerful way. He gets our attention so that we can listen to what he is trying to say. Have you heard Jesus' voice lately?

In Mark, chapter 1, we find four short scenes from the life of Jesus where his voice breaks through to people in a powerful way. Specifically, in verses 14 and 15, we find that Jesus is proclaiming the good news about God's kingdom. This kind of announcement could be equated to that of an old newspaper boy, who would yell out the newspaper headline, and then say, "Read all about it." The newspaper boy did not make up his message, but he simply shouted out whatever message had been given to him. In much the same way, Jesus is announcing the arrival of God's kingdom into our world. Jesus is the messenger from God who is shouting the message to anyone who will listen, and he invites them to enter into God's kingdom by making a new start and trusting in his message.

In verses 16 through 20, we find that Jesus' voice of authority does not end with this announcement. As Jesus walks along one of the many fishing ports along the Sea of Gallilee, he calls four fishermen to follow him as disciples or apprentices, and they each accept the call. Jesus' invitation comes with an authority that cannot be denied by these men.

Do you know that Jesus still calls people to follow him in the same way today? Following Jesus as a disciple means making a new start and trusting Jesus, even though you don't have it all figured out yet. You are not called because you have reached some super level of spiritual maturity. Jesus calls ordinary laborers who are busy at work to be empowered by God through his kingdom here on earth.

In verses 21 and 22, we hear Jesus' voice teaching at a local synagogue (church). Jesus takes this opportunity to teach the people, and they are all amazed, to the point of being scared, by the authority in which Jesus spoke. His authority was different than that of the teachers of the time, and Jesus demonstrated his authority by teaching people new realities about God. His teaching was different because he spoke directly from the heart of God.

If you place yourself under the teachings of Jesus, I guarantee that it will change your life! His teachings will break into your life in a powerful way, and His teachings will turn your life upside-down and transform you.

In verses 23 through 28, we find Jesus' teaching interrupted by a person being possessed by an evil spirit. And here, like the other instances, Jesus demonstrates his authority by rebuking the forces of evil. The authority of his voice causes even the spiritual realm to listen! In the same way, Jesus' voice continues to speak with power against the forces of evil that are alive within our culture.

When Jesus speaks, you should listen! It is the power of his voice that can bring you back to reality. It is the power of only his voice that can break through all the rubbish of things that might be happening.

Have you heard his voice announcing God's present kingdom on earth, his calling to be a disciple, his teaching about God, and his rebuking of evil? If not, I encourage you read the Bible and to attend church, because these are 2 of the main ways that Jesus can still speak to us today. Have you heard his voice? Have you responded?

Micah Hudson is youth director at Delphi United Methodist Church.