…you have no room for my word. John 8:37 NIV

When I taught French in middle and high school I learned not to give any explanation of why something was expressed a certain way. Unless asked.  Students usually didn’t want or need to know more than what something meant. 

Can you pick up that I did not teach French using the old-fashioned ways of focusing on grammar and vocabulary. I was after language acquisition. I wanted students to have the language living inside of them, so it could emerge naturally. Afterall, isn’t that why anyone would want to learn a language, so they can communicate with someone?  Mistakes and all? 

Yet, when a student DID ask me a question, I recognized right away that he had found a space in his brain to receive a very short and precise explanation.  He was receptive and ready to digest something new.

This morning I saw the parallel principle at work in John.  Jesus is explaining why those questioning Him don’t believe His teachings.  Their minds are so taken with the idea of being descendents of Abraham, that they have no space to consider a new doctrine. Five verses earlier as John records, Jesus had said: 

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Each morning I take in God’s word.  But maybe I don’t have freed-up space to notice something I previously overlooked. 

I’m motivated now to ask for the Spirit’s help tomorrow morning. May He clean up and perhaps order my heart’s understanding so I can be open to receiving pure Gospel truth whether from the Old Testament or the New. That way I can grow and become more fluent in Gospel Hope.