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NEAR AND FAR

When I was a kid there were two times when it was easy to hear my parent's voices and when they spoke the most clearly.

  1. When I was close to them (ie - at the kitchen table, on the sofa, in the car).
  2. When I was far from them (ie - down the street, on the sports field, across the neighborhood pool)

It was easy to hear my parent's voices when I was far from them because they went through the additional effort to be:

  1. Loud
  2. Clear
  3. Concise

They were often times loud, clear, and concise because they needed to get my attention, keep from danger, or make me aware of something.

We find something similar in Acts 9:4.

ACTS 9:4

3 As [Saul] neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Saul wasn't exactly a shining example of what it means to be "Christian" or displaying close allegiance/friendship to the person of Jesus.

Quite the opposite. Saul is fiercely opposed to Jesus, his disciples, and this new movement at large. However, Jesus still speaks to him.

We find here that Jesus doesn't reserve his voice for those that are close to him (although he certainly enjoys it), Jesus also speaks to those on the edges, the boundaries, the far-from-God folks.

SPEAKING TO THE FAR OFF

The reality that Jesus speaks to those that are far from him is great news.

It means when we are far from God, Jesus may speak up a bit more audibly to redirect us.

It means when our spouse or kids are far from God, Jesus may speak up a bit more audibly to call them to repentance.

It means when our family and friends are not Christian, we can have a degree of confidence and anticipation that Jesus will speak directly to them when they are in their car, at work, or at home.

This means we can pray evangelistic prayers like, "Lord, for so-and-so, would you speak to them."

The resurrection is our assurance that Jesus still speaks.

It's good when he speaks to us.

It's good when he speaks to those that are drifting away.

It's good when he speaks tot hose that have never been close.

Jesus is constantly using his voice to draw all of creation back to himself.

Good news indeed.