"Stop, Look and Listen"

 

“Stop, Look and Listen!”

 

The Long Island town in which I grew up (Massapequa Park) is serviced by the Long Island Railroad, primarily a commuter carrier for those who work in New York City. (My dad and brother utilized it for a combined total of 59 years.) When our family moved there in 1948 the area was rural. There were two vehicle crossings in town, one “protected” by flashing lights without bells or gates and the other only by a sign telling motorists to “Stop, Look and Listen”. It took several train-car crashes and a number of years to have gates installed in both places. The tracks are now elevated so grade crossings are no longer a danger to traffic.

“Stop, Look and Listen” is a good practice for life beyond railroad crossings. We see these commands throughout Scripture. I checked my trusty concordance and found that all three are prominent in John’s Gospel. Here’s a quick summary.

Jesus told the man He healed at the pool to “Stop sinning….” (5:14) and the woman accused of adultery to “…leave your life of sin.” (8:11). In these cases He used a Greek word meaning “no longer do something”, indicating ceasing an ongoing ungodly activity. He also commanded the people to “Stop grumbling….” (6:43) and “Stop judging by mere appearances….” (7:24) and later challenged Thomas, “Stop doubting and believe.” (20:27). Here the sense is “do not do something”, suggesting “Don’t start”. We’d all do well to get rid of sinful practices which have become part of our lives and take care not to begin some which would take us the wrong way.

John the Baptist said to the crowd following him, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (1:29). The original word means to stare or gaze at an object already visible, On the day of His resurrection Jesus asked Mary Magdalene, “Who is it you are looking for?” (20:15). The term used here suggests seeking a person or thing which isn’t present in order to find it. Both relate to our study of God’s Word—we look at (read) it but also explore its meaning as did the Bereans who “…examined the Scriptures every day….” (Acts 17:11).

In His allegory describing Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10) Jesus four times says His sheep (including you and me) listen to Him. Implied here is the fact that we know His voice through the Word and His Spirit and do His bidding (“My sheep hear my voice…and they follow me.”—10:27). Are we, with Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10) ready to hear and obey?

So the next time you come to a railroad crossing and have to wait for a train to pass use the time to “Stop, Look and Listen” to God’s voice of love and direction.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan