Some conversations aren't really conversations. You can tell when someone has already made up their mind. Not just because they have an opinion, but because of everything that's shaped it. The podcasts they've listened to. The voices they trust. The arguments they've rehearsed. By the time they ask a question, it's not coming from openness or a desire to know someone else better. It's coming from layers of influence that have already settled the answer.
In Matthew 22, a group of Sadducees asks Jesus a question that almost sounds thoughtful. There's a sense, though, that they aren't asking to engage in resurrection talk, but to ridicule the idea completely. Jesus doesn't play along because he knows they're not exploring truth. They're simply defending a position they've already decided is right.
Now, Jesus responds, but he doesn't chase their argument. Instead, he shows that they've filled themselves with so many other voices that they can no longer hear the voice of God standing right in front of them.
And that's the danger for us, too.
We can spend so much time consuming (reading, listening, scrolling) that we become closed off to Jesus without even realizing it. When we do, we don't reject Jesus. We just crowd him out.
At some point, no clever argument will break through that. Only a willingness to listen again.
So, on one hand, the invitation is to have better, deeper conversations. Listen to people more. On the other hand, make space to hear Jesus' voice above the others. To let his words interrupt your assumptions and to let his truth reshape what you think you know.
If you're not careful, you can end up knowing a lot about everything else and still miss Jesus standing right in front of you.
Stay blessed...john
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