How to Gain Fresh Wisdom through “Listening” in New Ways
I am currently enrolled in an online course called “Teaching and Writing the Word.” After the first lesson, our teacher assigned my cohort to look at a passage of scripture two different ways. We were to first take a macro view of a passage, and then a micro view.
What is a Macro and Micro View?
When you study a passage of scripture with a macro view, you read the context of the verse (or verses) you want to study. My teacher suggested we read or listen to the entire chapter surrounding the verses we chose to examine. He recommended we read or listen to the chapter 3 or more times in a row. He instructed us to look for overall themes and ideas, as well as what consistently jumped out to us.
When you study a passage of scripture with a micro view, you separate phrases, and dive into the meanings of individual words. You examine how things are stated and dive into the definitions of the Hebrew and Greek words used in the verse(s).
Working on my Assignment
I carved out time for my assignment. I began my work by picking up a journal from this past fall, searching for inspiration. Within the first two pages I came across a notation about Matthew 13:52. I became intrigued and wondered if the process of macro and micro would bring understanding to my heart and mind.
Obviously, since I’m writing about my assignment, I found the process helpful. God’s Spirit held me enthralled as I gained fresh insight into His Word.
Macro View Insight
In Matthew thirteen, you read about an afternoon-in-the-life of Jesus. Matthew tells us in Matthew 13:1, “Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake.” (NLT) From my point of view, it sounds like a nice day!
I listened to Matthew 13 three times, in three different versions, using my Dwell app. The first time I listened I realized the verses were familiar. Jesus told parables to the crowd that always gathered around Him. Jesus shared the parable of the Sower, the parable of the Weeds, the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast, as well as the parables of the Hidden Treasure, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Net.
Fresh Understanding about Parables
The disciples asked Jesus why He always spoke in parables. I understood Jesus’ response to His followers more than I ever had before.
“[Jesus] replied, ‘You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.’”
Matthew 13:11-12, NLT
Many in the crowd listened for entertainment and to say they heard the great Rabbi Jesus. Some listened and may have understood some basic truth, but they didn’t remain curious about what they learned. They didn’t seek to apply the truth to their lives.
Listening and Learning
Think about the ideas of listening and learning. We hear all sorts of things we never remember. We don’t recall what we’ve heard because we don’t assign it any value. Since we don’t remember what we’ve heard and consider it important, we don’t learn anything from what we’ve heard.
In the past, I perceived Jesus wasn’t acting very loving if He wasn’t making the secrets of His Kingdom easy to understand. Jesus was speaking truth, salvation, and hope. However, to fully understand what He was teaching, the listeners needed an intent to learn ~ a willingness to change what they thought they knew. If they were unwilling to hear Jesus’ message with a curious mind and an open heart, they inadvertently chose to remain in the dark.
Micro View Insight
Even after exploring the chapter’s wider knowledge, I still didn’t fully grasp the verse that first grabbed my curiosity.
“Then [Jesus] added, ‘Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.’”
Matthew 13:52
As I looked at the verse with a micro perspective, I noticed first of all that Jesus discussed a teacher of the law who becomes one of His disciples. Second, I noticed this disciple will have a storeroom of knowledge and understanding. Lastly, I noticed the truth he holds will be both new and old.
Examining Words and Meaning
In several Bible versions, the man referred to as “teacher of the religious law” is called a Scribe. He is someone who studies the Mosaic law and helps define and explain what the Law means. In Matthew 13:52, the teacher of the law is now called a disciple because he listened to Jesus with a curious mind and an open heart. He changed what he thought he knew and aligned it with the truth Jesus was declaring.
I discovered the Greek word translated disciple is “matheteuo.” It means someone who follows another’s precepts and instructions. If one is a disciple, one becomes a pupil. The scribe moved from someone defining what the law meant to be someone who accepted Jesus’ definition of the law. I also learned, hidden within the definition, that a disciple teaches others what he has learned from his Rabbi.
In addition, I found the definition for the Greek word translated “bring” fascinating. The Greek word is “expallo,” and it means to cast out, drive out, send out with motion of violence. I contemplated that word as I read other verses using the same Greek word. Jesus is saying the disciple will bring out treasures from his storeroom with authority. The disciple learned well, and now speaks with power.
Wisdom Gained
I learned dynamic truth from my homework assignment.
- If I want to learn Jesus’ truth, I must be intentional about listening and changing my beliefs, thought patterns, and behaviors. (Matthew 13:11-17)
- I must not let my heart become callous or see God’s truth as too familiar. (Matthew 13:15)
- The world speaks its own truth that I hear alongside God’s truth. I must listen and choose wisely what I believe. (Matthew 13:24-30)
- The enemy will attempt to snatch away what I hear by drowning out God’s truth with other noise, tempting me to give God’s truth less value, or telling me lies that lead me away from truth. (Matthew 13:18-23)
- The truth and power of God’s Kingdom may begin small in me, but as it permeates my life, it grows exponentially. (Matthew 13:31-33)
- I must choose to value what Jesus teaches and offers above anything and everything else in my life. (Matthew 13:44-46)
- As a disciple of Jesus, I will learn a storehouse of truth. I will continually learn new truth to add to what I already know. (Matthew 13:52)
- As a disciple of Jesus, I am responsible to share what I learn about the Kingdom with others. I can share confidently knowing God’s truth is absolutely authoritative. (Matthew 13:52)
“Listen” to the Word
The author of Hebrews tells us clearly, “For the Word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the “separation “of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12, CSB) God blesses us with His Word so we may listen and learn.
I challenge you to try both a macro and a micro view of Scripture. I discovered both provide wisdom and clarity. Allow God the opportunity to speak truth into your life, adding to your storehouse of wisdom to treasure. I’m praying God will permeate your soul.
Bible Study Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
