I am a Jesus pusher!!! This focus on Jesus gives me a desperate desire to “hear” Him. I am not concerned about hearing an audible voice. I want an intimacy with Him which is beyond verbal communication. Hearing an audible voice indicates separation from Him. The communication of the heart, His mind to my mind, is my desire. I want to be so sensitive to Him He can reveal His slightest desire.
Peter opened his explanation of Pentecost with “Men of Israel, hear these words,” (Acts 2:22). This Greek word (akouo) translated hear is used to describe a disciple’s understanding or hearing with the ear of the mind (Matthew 11:15; John 8:43, 47; 1 Corinthians 14:2). It is used in the sense of “to give heed” or “to obey.” It would require openness, a willingness to respond. This is not always easy. Luke gives us the end result of this appeal. Now when they heard (akouo) this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). The Greek word (akouo) translated when they heard is highlighted in the sentence. It is a participle (verb acting as an adjective). Since it is in the nominative case it modifies the subject, they. The focus is not on “what they heard” but upon “the act of their hearing.”
The result of their hearing was they were cut to the heart. This is the difficulty with listening to Jesus. It is always like surgery. However, He does it with such care and tenderness. He becomes so intimate with me; He joins me in the suffering of the surgery. I must listen to Him! I am a Jesus pusher!!!