The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:30 NLT

Not only does Jesus listen, He discerns our needs. When His disciples come to Him after their ministry tour, how does Jesus respond to his friends?

Observation. First, He observes their need for solitude and rest, and He says, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”

Only when we really listen to others can we identify their needs and know how to respond.

Frustration. My friend once told me about a conflict between her young daughter and her "know-it-all" mother, who had a bad habit of giving unsolicited advice to everyone, without really listening first. Once, in frustration my friend's young daughter responded to her grandmother. "You think you know everything, but you don't!"

Sometimes our failure to listen before responding can provoke an negative, emotional response from our loved ones, who we may desperately want to help.

Decision. In fact, Proverbs 18:13 warns us, "Answering before listening is both stupid and rude" (MSG).

Photo/KarenJordan