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On occasion I have been accused of selective hearing. The audiologists refer to it as “selective auditory attention”1. It’s a real thing,…our brain processes the information that we want to hear. Selective hearing often occurs when we are listening for and retaining what we want to hear and unintentionally discounting the balance. Some may regard the retention of partial information as a conscious initiative but often we hear what we want to hear. Let’s look at the example of the disciples receiving their final commission from the Risen Lord on a mountain in Galilee. Matthew records the encounter in chapter 28:

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20.

 There are four primary elements of Matthew’s transcript. First, the authority of the commission on heaven and earth has been granted to Christ. Second, the disciples are appointed to go and make disciples of all nations and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Third, they were directed to teach His truth and encourage faithful living in obeying all Jesus had taught and commanded. Fourth, Jesus would be with them to the end of the age. I can only surmise what Matthew may have been listening to hear. Perhaps he wanted to confirm the authority of the commission from God. Maybe Matthew was also concerned about the ongoing Jewish and Roman persecution and listened for the words of comfort that Christ would be with them throughout the ministry. But it’s clear from the account by Mark that he was selective in his hearing and didn’t want to recognize the tough truth. Here’s Marks transcript of the same encounter with Jesus.

14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:14-16.

 Mark heard and recorded the harsh rebuke of the disciples for their lack of faith for not believing Mary Magdalene and the followers he encountered on the road to Emmaus. He made no reference to the authority of Jesus. He heard the commission to preach the Gospel to all creation and baptize, but he also heard “whoever does not believe will be condemned.” In a faith that is surrounded in forgiveness, redemption and love, how can a loving God condemn those that do not believe? I’m reminded that we don’t get to make the rules. We are called to love, worship, and obey our Lord. When we believe, expressing true faith in Christ, then we are granted God’s boundless grace…. It’s free but only to those who seek and love God. Which begs a troubling question, “Who do we know who doesn’t believe and not have been led to baptism, and in peril of condemnation?” Are we, as perhaps as Matthew experienced, practicing selective faith by not recognizing and accepting the brutal and tough truth that unless the people we love believe, and are baptized by the Holy Spirit, then they are subject to being condemned when life eternal is available to all who love and seek the Lord.

Our acts of ministry are an extension of the commission of the eleven. As mature Christians, we accept that baptism is not the forever golden ticket but an absolute beginning on the pathway to the narrow gate. An ordained minister confirms the baptism that the Holy Spirit has already performed in the hearts of those that believe, but we can carry the invitation. 11 “I baptize you withwater for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”2

 Dr. James Dobson writes a personal story of a friendship with Pete Maravich. Dobson had invited Pete to join his friends in their regular weekly old guy pick-up game at the gym. Pete had complained in recent weeks about intense shoulder pain but when asked about how he was feeling responded, “I feel great today”. You may remember Maravich as having set all-time scoring records at LSU in the late 1960’s averaging over 44 points a game.  In the NBA for the Hawks, the Jazz and the Celtics he averaged over 31 points a game and scored a legendary 68 points against the Nicks. Pete was named five times to NBA All-Star team and the NBA Hall of fame in 1987 retiring in 1980 due to chronic knee injuries.

After a forty-five minute pick-up game Pete collapsed on court and died shortly later of a congenital heart defect never detected in years of play. Dobson asks the tough question in his story, “When all is said and done, what really matters?” In the later years of his pro basketball career, Maravich developed a reputation as somewhat of a trouble maker. Dobson writes, “He was a heavy drinker that broke all of the rules.” When Pistol Pete retired he became a recluse to avoid the press and autograph seeking fans. In an important critical time in his life Pete was awakened by a voice calling his name. At first, he thought it was just a dream but then he clearly heard his name called again. Pete realized that God was calling him and dropped to his knees in prayer. For the next five years Pete Maravich dedicated his life to Christ telling anyone, including reporters, writers and fans about the importance of the Gospel and a relationship with the Lord. He wanted to tell everyone what Jesus had done for him. The most important legacy to Pete Maravich was not all his amazing accomplishments in basketball but about how he responded to God’s call. When Pete Maravich passed away at the age of forty on a gym floor in 1988 his tee shirt bore the words, “Looking unto Jesus.” 3

I am often guilty of selective faith looking only to positive elements of the love, forgiveness, redemption, and blessings afforded through a relationship with Christ. I want to celebrate only the good and ignore the harsh realities that many will not find the narrow gate; …some of which I may speak to or walk past each day. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.4

 Prayer: Jesus inspire our actions and words to spread the Gospel story of the “living waters” to our family, our neighbors, and our community. Help us to accept and voice the importance of baptism to all those we love who are willing to seek the grace and redemption of our Lord Jesus. We make this prayer for those who do not know Christ and seek His peace, comfort, and grace. Amen.

1 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/selective-auditory-attention.

2 Matthew 3:11.

3 Dr. James Dodson, Stories of the Heart and Home, Word Publishing 2000, Pages 235-238.

4 Matthew 28:19.

The Wesleyan Bridge is written by K.B. Kelly with the Reverend Valerie Mireb and Pastor Hank Brooks as Theological Editors and Debbie Kelly as Text and Content Editor.