Communication Lab with Professor Jesus

Over the years I’ve done various conversational experiments on unsuspecting victims. Generally, I just want to see what the reaction will be if I speak outside expectations. I confess though, I’ve discovered I’m a lousy actress. Once I see a weird look on someone’s face, start an argument, or just cause blatant awkwardness, I always cave, apologize, and come clean about my little plot. Then we laugh.

Right now I’m deep in the study of Matthew and I feel the Spirit connecting my communication evangelist heart with how Matthew reveals who Jesus is. I invite you to join me in two of your own communication experiments. Rest easy though; I believe your experience will not bring awkward moments or the need for confession.

Experiment One

Your first step is to pray these words from Matt. 7:1-5:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

After praying these Scriptures, go through a whole day assuming every single person you talk to has the very best of intentions.

Experiment Two

Read Matthew chapter 8. In this section, Matthew wrote about Jesus’s healing ministry. I’m sure there were plenty of prestigious Jewish people who needed healing. But Matthew didn’t write about them. Matthew shared that Jesus healed a leper, a Centurion’s servant, an older woman (Peter’s mother-in-law), two demon-possessed men, and according to verse 16, many others. Granted, I’m certainly not the first to point out that Jesus spent his time bringing the outcasts into his presence instead of keeping people at bay. Jesus touched the leper. Jesus spoke to the hated Roman officer and healed his servant. He touched the older woman and healed many others. He engaged the (presumably) Gentile, volatile, violent, demon-possessed men, releasing them from their burden.

Based upon this launching point, you are ready to start experiment two.

Your first and only step for this second experiment is to go through one day using your communication to bring people in. It’s that simple; don’t overthink it. Remember, 65-90% of all communication is nonverbal. I’m not asking you to attempt to convert people, accumulate a new BFF, run for office, or practice your Miss America speech. Simply, as you engage with others verbally and nonverbally, use your communication to bring them in to Jesus’s presence.

Now, just see what happens. I’d love for you to leave a comment below to share any part of your day. I don’t want to draw conclusions or make predictions. I just want to know what happens and how Jesus is revealed through you.