"Listen Attentively"
Luke 19:47-48
Welcome to Day 36 in our 50-Day Adventure! Today’s theme is Scripture, and we find ourselves in Luke 19 where we see a very intriguing set of words. Yes, there is an interesting phrase in Luke’s gospel, chapter 19 and verse 48. I’d like you to turn to it, would you? In fact, I want you to circle this phrase in your Bible…
“…all the people hung on his words.”
Literally, that phrase translates into something like this:
“all the people were very attentive to his speaking.”
This was the predominant characteristic of his followers: they were captivated by his teaching! That’s the meaning behind the word “hung” – it means “to be very attentive to; captivated by.” It is only used this one time in the New Testament, but it is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament four times, three of those times in Nehemiah. Each time it is translated ‘attentive,’ and describes an intense sense of attention to someone’s words, voice, or person. This is how the common people responded to Jesus and his teaching –they were riveted on his message!
This was how his ministry started – Luke 2:47, which is about his temple visit as a 12 year-old boy, says, “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Even as a boy he was a captivating teacher!
This continued, for Luke 4:36, which describes an account that happened even before he selected his disciples when he was about 30, says, “All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out.”
His supernatural ability to communicate God’s words continued right up until the end, for Luke 20:19, which is part of the last week of his life, says, “…they [teachers of the law and chief priests] looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.”
And why were they afraid of the people? Because the people listened to Jesus so attentively, hanging on his every word! They were amazed with his authority! To kill Jesus without some kind of consensus, as contrived as it would have been, would have been political suicide for the leaders! In the words of the 21st century, Jesus had the people “in the palm of his hand.”
You see, as Christ brought his ministry to a climax, which is what we’ve been learning about in these recent chapters of Luke, one issue surfaced above all others: Authority! In other words, the question above all others became, “Who do you think you are?”
In fact, the issue of authority is what’s behind the battles in the remaining part of Luke 19 and most of Luke 20. Notice, would you…
…his authority over the temple in Luke 19:46. He cleared out the dwellers who weren’t supposed to occupy it, and declared it to be “my house.” In fact, the construction of the Greek language in 19:46 suggests that “my house” is the emphatic portion of the verse. That’s ownership and authority!
…his authority over the leaders in Luke 20. It is amazing how many times his authority was questioned in Luke 20:1-40. In fact, there were three questions, each designed to trap him so that his credibility and authority would be undermined. In their minds, if they could show him as a man of duplicity or as a man of ignorance, then his popularity would decrease and they would retain power. But it didn’t work!
You see, the religious leaders saw him as a threat, but the people saw him as the truth! The religious leaders saw things through their wisdom, but the people saw things through Jesus’ words. And it is precisely because they welcomed his authority – because they accepted him as truth – that the people, not the religious leaders or law teachers, “hung on his words.”
That same battle rages today in the life of every human being: Are the words of Jesus a threat or truth? Do we hang on his words or do we hate his words?
Essentially, we deal with the same issue that surfaces in this text: “Who is the authority for your life?” In other words, what do you live by – God’s Word or Man’s Wisdom?
Let me boldly and clearly proclaim this morning: I take my stand on the B-I-B-L-E! Yes, that’s the book for me! I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!
I want to have the same attitude about the Bible and its authority and value as the famous missionary, Dr. David Livingstone. When he started his trek across Africa he had 73 books in 3 packs, weighing 180 pounds. After the party had gone 300 miles, Livingstone was compelled to throw away some of the books because of the fatigue of those carrying his baggage. As he continued on his journey his library grew less and less, until he had but one book left—his Bible. That was a non-negotiable!
He had the same attitude as the famous traveling preacher John Wesley who said from his horse one day upon arriving at a circuit-riding stop, “I am a man of one book.”
That’s the kind of man I desire to be. That’s the kind of people I pray we will keep on becoming – a people of one book, God’s Word!
When we do, some things begin to happen to us. We experience changes and blessings, both inside and out.
Yes, the words of Jesus – God’s authoritative Word – have benefits for your whole body. This week I researched all the ways Jesus words affect us positively, so let me show you what you stand to gain – from head to toe – if you hang on the words of Jesus (listen very attentively) as the listeners did in Jesus’ day:
1. When I hang on the words of Jesus, my mind has solid answers to questions.
Did you know that Christ never avoided an honest question from a curious seeker? But did you also know he never answered in a straightforward manner when someone was asking a question for deceitful and manipulative reasons? This simply proves something I’ve said for years: God’s not afraid of your questions, but he won’t be cornered by them either. Yes, there are answers to your questions, but they must grow from a seeking mind, not a sarcastic tongue.
You see, I believe there are right answers, but I also believe there are right questions. For instance, “Can God make a rock so big that he can’t move it?” is not the right question. Instead, “Did God make the rock?” is a better question, wouldn’t you agree? If you settle that one, you’re okay, no matter how big he decides to make it!
But sometimes we’re not good at asking questions, are we? This week I found some actual questions asked by lawyers to people under oath.
“Now, doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in their sleep, they don’t know about it till the next morning?”
“Were you present when your picture was taken?”
“How far apart were the vehicles when they collided?”
“Was it you or your younger brother that was killed in the war?”
Sometimes it’s a follow up question that’s absurd.
“Can you describe the individual?”
“He was medium height and had a beard.”
“Was this a male of female?”
Seriously, asking the right questions is critical if you want to get the right answers. And today, I want you to ask the right questions!
For instance, don’t ask, “Will anyone find out if I click on this pornographic link?” Bad question. Instead, “What does God say about purity of the eyes?” That’s a better question.
Don’t ask, “What are my options when it comes to divorce?” Bad question. Instead, ask “What does God say concerning the permanence of marriage?”
Don’t ask, “Is 10% all I have to give?” Bad question. Instead, ask “What does God say about giving?”
I am so glad God isn’t running for office and acting like most current politicians! They beat around the bush, give coded answers, talk in double meanings…most times you have no idea what the answer actually is!
No, God is clear and forthright, the opposite of current politicians, isn’t he? Issues like abortion, marriage, and sexual habits have answers in God’s Word. Let’s not pretend we can’t know or be afraid to say what we do know! God has spoken, and we can know his mind!
In addition, there are answers to things about our giving, our language, our habits, our thoughts…God’s Word has the answers!
The key to finding answers is to start reading the Bible and start listening to credible men and women who teach the Bible. You’ve got to do that if you really want to know God’s heart!
Here’s another bodily benefit:
2. When I hang on the words of Jesus, my mouth has good news to share.
That’s right – when you are captivated by the words of Jesus, he fills your mouth with the great news of the Gospel.
Remember when he commissioned the twelve in Luke 9? 9:6 says they went out “…preaching the good news…” That’s right – It’s good news! Jesus has come and we can be saved!
Sometimes I don’t think his words sink into our face! We speak good news as if it were the nightly news! But if it is really good news, it should show up in or countenance. Think about it – have you ever seen the people in the waiting room during a baby’s delivery? The dad comes out, beaming from ear to ear, and says with pride and joy, “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” I’ve never seen anyone announce that with a frown, have you? I hope not! Why? Because the news has affected his face.
Have you been affected by the good news of our great God? In other words, do you believe that Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, is the one mediator between God and man? If not, why not trust him today. Place your faith in Jesus Christ alone and ask him to forgive you based on his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Simply obey Romans 10:9-10:
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
In fact, you can pray that right now, even while I’m talking. Just cry out to the Father and ask him for forgiveness…for the cleansing blood of Jesus to wash you white as snow. He will save you, friend!
Once that takes place, the good news of the Word of God will affect your face and you can open your mouth with words of peace for people lost and away from God.
Notice another bodily benefit:
3. When I hang on the words of Jesus, my heart has hope for the future.
In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul talked about death and the end of life, especially when death is what separates us from people we love. And do you know how he wrapped up his comments? With this phrase – “comfort one another with these words.” The way to find hope for the future is in the words of the Bible – God’s Word!
Jesus did this as well in John 14 when he informed the disciples that he was leaving. He said, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me.” You see, the disciples were worried about the future, and it was the words and promises of Jesus about the future (i.e., the mansions he was building for them!) that calmed their hearts.
Dear people at First Family, God’s promises are my anchor! Scriptures like “He will never leave me or forsake me,” “He is coming again,” and “He never changes” – on and on I could go with promise after promise. It is those very promises that give my heart hope, because it gives my heart something to hang on to – the words of Jesus!
There’s another bodily benefit I want to show you:
4. When I hang on the words of Jesus, my arms have truth to embrace.
The Apostle Paul’s two protégés, Timothy and Titus, were both given clear instruction about God’s Word. Timothy was to “guard the deposit that was entrusted to him” (2 Timothy 1:14) and Titus was to “cling to the faithful Word.” (Titus 1:9) Or, as the NIV states, “hold firmly to the trustworthy message.”
You see, church, we have a body of beliefs to guard, protect, and keep safe – the Gospel of our precious Lord Jesus Christ! Spiritually speaking, our arms should be wrapped around this faith of ours and we should spare no expense or effort in holding on to it and preserving it for the ones after us.
In this current culture, that takes some strong arms! And lots of them as well. So know your Bible. Read it daily! Study it passionately. Learn it diligently! Protect it securely!
In fact, I’d say you should put the same amount of intensity towards your spiritual inheritance as you do your financial inheritance. How sad that some kids get money from mom and dad but no principles that support how to use it! When God’s Word captivates us, though, it gives our arms something of value and worth to protect and embrace!
And here’s one more bodily benefit:
5. When I hang on the words of Jesus, my feet find a secure place to stand.
Let me show you two verses from the songwriter David that bring stability to me:
Psalm 40:2
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
When times are tough, you can’t trust your feelings; that’s a shifty place to try and find some footing. But you can rest on the foundation of God’s Word – it’s firm and stable! It’s God’s unchanging truth that enables me to endure the storms of life and make it through the turbulence. Yes, it is God’s Word that gives my light to my way and stability to my life.
Sometimes when things get gloomy, here’s what I do: I’ll take my Bible and put it under my feet, stand up tall and say to myself, “Self, nothing around me or within can be trusted right now. My emotions lie to me and my surroundings trick me. But God’s Word will never move, change, or return void. [And I kind of stomp and put my feet down harder to illustrate myself digging in to the footings of the Bible] So I take my stand on your Word, and I will not worry. My feet are set and my mind’s made up – I’m standing fast on the Word!”
You can laugh and think it’s crazy, but it is the way I often visually live out this principle. Yes, the Bible provides the best footing for life in a world that seems to fluctuate way too much, amen?
WOW! My whole life is impacted when I hang on the words of Jesus!
As we close, would you take your Bible and hold it for a moment? Good! Look at it…think about it…let it penetrate your heart and mind. And as you hold those wonderful words of life, I want to share this story with you about Michael Billester. You don’t know Michael, but he was a Bible distributor decades ago, Once he visited a small village in Poland shortly before World War II and gave a Bible to a villager, who was converted by reading it. The new believer then passed the Book on to others. The cycle of conversions and sharing continued until 200 people had become believers through that one Bible.
Billester returned in 1940, and what he found was amazing! This group of about 200 Christians met together for a worship service in which he was to preach the Word. He normally asked for testimonies, but this time he suggested that several in the audience recite verses of Scripture. One man stood and said, “Perhaps we have misunderstood. Did you mean verses or chapters?”
Billister discovered that these villagers had not just memorized a few select verses of the Bible but whole chapters and books. In fact, thirteen people knew Matthew, Luke, and half of Genesis. Another person had committed to memory the Psalms. WOW – That single copy of the Bible given by Billester had done its work. (from Bible.org)
Truly, they were “hanging” on the words of Jesus! They saw them for what they really were – wonderful words of life!
You, too, can live that way and make God’s Word the authority for you life. The big question is “How?” Here’s where I get real deep…stay with me! Ready? Read it, memorize it, apply it, obey it…it’s as simple as that! For too many of us, we simply avoid he basics. But if you’ll simply take time every day to get into the Bible, then obey what you read (let it get into you!), God will do something in your mind, mouth, heart, hands and feet. Yes, your whole body will be affected and, as James says, “you will be blessed in what you do.”
