Selective Attention - A Reflection on Luke 9:43b-45

While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

 

People have a habit of hearing only what they want to hear or seeing what they want to see. Have you noticed this? It is known as selective listening, or selective attention. We tune out someone’s opinions or ideas, whenever they don’t match our own. We also tune out things that might be unpleasant or disturbing. I believe that is what might have happened here with the apostles. Jesus told them he was going to be betrayed into human hands. The thought was so horrifying they blocked it out of their minds. And they didn’t dare ask any more questions because they were afraid of what else he might say to them.

 

When people preach the true gospel — as opposed to a watered-down, corrupted, or diluted gospel we often hear — the listeners often exhibit this “selective attention”. If they hear something that goes against what they have traditionally believed in for years, or something that seems to challenge their beliefs, they start closing up. They might not disagree with the preacher openly, but you know they have decided he is wrong because they are right! Consequently, to agree with the preacher would mean admitting they have been doing or believing something wrong for years. And that’s a terrible thing for most folks.

 

They close up even more when they are told to do something they don’t want to do. You can actually see their eyes go blank as they pull the shutters down. As an example, consider forgiveness. This is us forgiving others, not God forgiving us. I have realized that a single sermon on forgiveness never does the job of getting people to forgive their offenders. They have to be told over and over again of the imperative need to forgive before they finally realize the importance of it. And even then, most people will not do it. Just consider this: Have YOU forgiven everybody yet?

 

As another example, consider the cross. When Jesus told his apostles that he was going to be betrayed into human hands, they closed their minds because the implications were horrifying. If this was the fate that was going to befall him, then, as his followers, it was going to be the same fate that would befall them! Crazy, no? Later on, Jesus would actually tell them that they would meet the same fate that he did, and I cannot even begin to imagine what went through their minds at that! But, eventually, all of them accepted the cross.

 

WE need to accept the cross too. I know we will be afraid. But then, let us remember that Jesus was afraid too. In the garden of Gethsemane, he cried out to the Father, “Take this cup from me.” But then he added, “yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

 

Let that be our prayer too.

 

Watch a video of this reflection by Aneel Aranha here: https://youtu.be/dwWodMYtxsw