Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 2:17 (New Living Translation)

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

There are several (dozen) things I could write about these couple of sentences. Let’s consider the attitude of the listener and with whom the speaker will spend His time.

There are persons (1) who think they are righteous. There are persons (2) who know they are sinners.

Is it worth time trying to convince persons who think they are already right? I can answer, “Well, they have never heard my wonderful speech. I can convince them!” Here is Jesus, a pretty darn good speaker, passing on those folks.

Is it better to spend time with persons who know they have problems? Of course it is. They are searching for something better.

But who will go to the others? No one—at this time. Tomorrow is another day. Next year is another year. There will probably be time. Me? Pay attention. Be ready when the listener is ready. Don’t turn off the listener when they are not ready.

Rats! I want to believe that no matter what the circumstance, everyone wants to listen to me. Silly me.