Luke 2:46-47
"After three days they found him (Jesus) in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers."
Sitting Among the Teachers
What can we learn from Jesus in these verses? For starters:
Look at the humility of Jesus. He listened. How many times do we forget to listen first? Listening first - asking later. Do we approach Jesus our Teacher this way? Do we listen first and then ask? We must do both to truly learn and we must do them in the right order.
Some people just ask questions. These are bent on showing how "wise" they are. They ask and ask but, they never listen to the answer. Proverbs 18:2 says " A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions".
Jesus, the sum of all wisdom asked THEM questions and listened for the answer. Their creator entered into discussion with them and sat as a student. It's important to notice that with Jesus, understanding came before answering. Some have answers but no understanding. How much trouble would we save ourselves and others if we only understood people before we answered them? Proverbs 18:13 says, "He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame."
Jesus shows us that we can learn from everyone if we come in humility and:
First Then Listen Ask Get Understanding AnswerIt's all about give and take. When we listen we take or receive. When we ask - we give. When we understand - we take and finally, when we answer - we give. The Lord shows us the true way to relate to eachother and gain wisdom. Remember: He who thinks he knows it all learns nothing.
Thought for Today:
Lord, teach me to truly listen to You and to others. Help me to learn from Your humility that there is so much that I don't know. Cleanse me from the pride that stops me from learning and listening. Forgive me for being a fool that only delights in airing my own opinions, and enable me to listen and understand before I attempt to answer.