Discernment

Our yearning: Peace on Earth (Read Isaiah 11:1-9)

As Spoken by the Prophet . . .
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears . . . (Isaiah 11:3b).

As seen in Jesus . . .
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).

Now given to you . . .
Our peace – peace within and peace with others – is closely connected to our thinking, the judgments we make about what we see and hear. We can believe the rumor and regard another person differently, with suspicion, keeping our distance. We can see someone wearing expensive clothes and driving the high-dollar vehicle and conclude that they merit a certain awe and respect because of that. Far too often, we judge by what we see and what we hear.

The one God raises up from Jesse’s root, the one who establishes peace, is distinguished by a fine tuned capacity for discernment. God’s anointed ruler will not judge by sight and sound, by impressions and the latest buzz on the streets. No, this one will see things differently; he will see deep into the reality of things and reach conclusions that are just and right.

Jesus and the twelve were seeking rest and solitude, time to reflect and debrief what God the Father was doing through them and around them. They needed a staff retreat, but the crowds kept tracking them down. Wherever Jesus tried to go, the crowds would get their first. Such crowds appear to be an annoyance; they are too demanding, too needy. But Jesus sees them differently. He isn’t annoyed. He is moved with compassion.

Living at peace means we develop the capacity to make careful discernment about what we see and hear. Discernment shapes thinking, and thoughts can help secure our peace or disturb it. What kinds of judgments are you making about the people you interact with every day? What do you truly know about their lives? How easily do you accept what you hear about someone or some situation? When the Spirit of Jesus takes up residence in your heart, you’ll begin too see deeper into things. Where do you need discernment today?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I make plenty of judgments based on what I see and what I hear. Failing to wait and watch prayerfully, I sacrifice peace and accept superficial conclusions. Grant me a discerning mind today – a mind that sees and thinks as you yourself see and think. Amen.