What Did He Say?

## What?

I wonder how many people dream of saying their wedding vows a hundred feet away from each other so they could say, "I didn't hear them say 'I do'." Can you imagine the bride walking down in her all splendor only for the groom and part of the witnesses having to use binoculars to see? There is a reason we do some things near one another. On one episode of the television show Seinfeld, George was being put in charge of a major assignment only for his boss to tell him most of it while they were apart. The boss went in the restroom while George stayed out in the hallway, and after a period of time he decided to go in and heard his boss finishing his thought. Jesus was drawing crowds everywhere, and I can only imagine Him having to speak loudly for some to hear. It was those closest to His voice that could easily tell anyone what He said without having a rough time gathering all the thoughts together. I know in college, it was easier to get better notes sitting closer to the teacher than sitting in the back, due to distractions. When you sat in the front, you and the teacher were almost locked into a one-on-one session.

## Get Closer

These two groups Luke mentions were not looked at in a good light. We often would be more welcoming to "sinners" than to the I.R.S agent, or telemarketer, in our churches today, so we can understand in some form. The term sinners can be very broad, but in my opinion, I tend to hold that these "sinners" were gentiles. The Jewish people were forbidden to eat with the Gentiles (see Paul's rebuke of Peter in Galatians). In light of the situation, how can a Jewish man who is considered a Rabbi by some eat with these two groups who are not well liked?

The interesting thing here is Jesus wasn't drawn to them, but they were drawn to Jesus. In fact, they were getting closer to Him in a physical sense. They were actually moving towards Him while others were fine staying in the distance. The two groups who would be pushed aside and hated decided to get closer. They didn't stand a hundred feet away like a lot of others but wanted to get close to hear His voice for themselves. They wanted no "I think He said," but wanted to know for certain. In order to know someone's heart, you have to be close to them. If you want to know someone cares, you have to be around physically and not stay far off in the distance.

## Self-Check

How close are you staying with Christ? Are you drawing closer to Him to know His heart and not to get His words confused by a longdistance yell? Today, draw close to Him so you'll know His voice crystal clear.

## Come One Come All