Jesus Will Listen

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

At last, the woman—knowing He was talking about her—pushed forward and dropped to her knees. She was shaking with fear and amazement.

Woman: I touched You.

Then she told him the reason why. Jesus listened to her story—Mark 5:33-34, The Voice

For Insight

Can you tell when someone has something to tell you, but they are a little hesitant? Hemming and hawing, clearing their throat. Making small talk, trying to work their way up to say what they want and need to say. It’s hard when we have hard things to say or something to confess. You want to just spit it out, but you can’t. We don’t know how the person will respond. We may fear being rejected or misunderstood.

The woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment was afraid to come forward. She knew he was talking about her. She was both amazed and full of fear. She knew the stakes were high. She had violated Jewish law and risked being punished or killed. Her faith had healed her and the risk she took made it all worth it, so she stepped forward. If she was lucky Jesus would listen to her story and that is what he did.                

Not everyone is willing to hear our story. Most people don’t have that kind of patience, or interest. We can’t tell our story to everyone because not everyone is willing to sit or stand still long enough. They just want the short of it: a summary; keep it brief. Get to the quick of it. People don’t have time to hear everything we have to say. Yet, we need to say it.

As a grief and loss coach I get to hear lots of stories and people need to tell their stories. People need to be heard. They want to be able to talk it out and talk about their problems, to share their pain and experiences, with others. They have been on a journey. They have been disappointed. They have lost things and people. They have experienced love and brokenness. They have and are hurting and trying to figure things out. Being listened to says they matter; it says their lives are important. Being listened to says they are not invisible, insignificant, or too much trouble.      

The Lord listened to people with his eyes, his ears, and his mind. The listening skills of Jesus showed people he was connected to their conversation and cared about their story and life. Listening to others wasn’t a task for Jesus it was one of the ways he ministered to them. He was on his way to a healing, but this woman was not an interruption nor disruption she was someone he cared about, and he took time to hear her story. Telling her story to Jesus added another layer to her being healed.

You have a story to tell, and Jesus wants to hear it. Jesus is more than your healer, your guide, your comfort, your defender, your teacher; he is your listening ear. Part of an abiding relationship with Jesus is knowing you are heard by Jesus. You can share your story in as much detail as you like. You can pause at the places where the pain is hard, and you get a lump in your throat. You can take your time and think it through. You can tell it from your perspective, and you can tell Jesus details you’ve never told anyone else. Jesus will not judge you or laugh at you. He will not interrupt you or condemn you. He will hear you not only with his ears but his heart. He told the woman with the issue of bleeding, “Daughter, you are well because you dared to believe. Go in peace and stay well.” And he will speak the same to you.

When you tell Jesus your story he will listen, he will love you through your pain, he will let you know you are cared for, he will commend your faith and courage to come forward and he will relieve your heart and mind. Your story has not fallen on deaf ears, but on caring and loving ears because your story matters to Jesus.       

Jesus, thank you for hearing my story! Amen

Ask Yourself

Where do I go and who do I talk to when I need to talk things out? Has being rejected or silenced I the middle of my story kept me from telling it to others?         

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