Richard Kuns (Copy)

Dear Friends in Christ, Listen for Jesus’ Voice

You are sitting with colleagues chatting about work and along comes someone who asks you to drop everything and come with them. Do you just stand up, walk away and follow? Would you?

Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, “Come along with me.” Matthew stood up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9, The Message)

The Greek text in Matthew is just 22 words. The invitation is just two words, but words are powerful! Matthew stands up and leaves his profitable work behind. Luke records the event this way: Jesus said, “Come along with me.” And he did -- walked away from everything and went with him. (Luke 5:27-28). Would you do that? Would any reasonable person do that? Matthew did and his life was never the same again. Words are powerful indeed!

There isn’t much more said about Matthew in the New Testament. He is listed among the twelve disciples in Mark, Luke and Acts. That’s it. The New Testament’s first book is named Matthew, but nowhere in the book does he claim authorship and that has provided NT scholars opportunity for endless debates.

We do know this. Matthew invited Jesus to dinner at his house with a lot of other tax collectors and sinners - not a very reputable group by the standards of the “socially correct” or “religiously correct.” (Luke 5:29-32). Matthew’s hospitality opened the door for Jesus to invite the marginal, the unloved and, in the mind of the “righteously, religiously correct,” unworthy to follow him. Would you host such a dinner?

This isn’t the first time Jesus’ words had a powerful and unexpected impact! It happened to Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. It happened to Philip, our patron saint! It happened to Nathanael! (read John 1:35-51) Words are powerful!

What is it about a voice that has the power to attract or repel, persuade or anger and change life’s trajectory? We hear so many voices - loud, conflicting voices - that it is difficult for us to silence the cacophony to hear the voice of Jesus calling you the beloved one. Those voices are often our own inner voices of accusation we have held within and refuse to recognize, release and silence.

The ancient psalm poet experienced this and wrote: …Today, if only they would listen to Your voice… (Psalm 95:7b, Pamela Greenberg)

Quiet Your Mind - Hear Jesus’ Voice - Just For You

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live feely and lightly. (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)

Richard R. Kuns