Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.
Mark 3:13
When Jesus came for humanity, he invaded time and space. Here in Mark 3, Jesus calls the twelve to himself and makes the backdrop of the event memorable. He understood that humans are multisensory creatures; when a leader really wants to make something stick, he’ll choose a setting that will leave an indelible impression on his listeners so they remember not only the sounds, but also the sights that brand that moment into their memories. It was at this time that Jesus commissioned the twelve as his ambassadors. He choose the timing and the location to reinforce what he was about to do and say to his disciples.
I remember when I proposed to my wife Susie; I took her to The Thayer Hotel in West Point, New York for an incredible dinner. After dinner, we walked around to the back of the hotel and were treated to some of the most breathtaking views of the Hudson River. I got down on one knee and popped the question as I placed a ring on her finger; and the rest is our history together! There was a lot of planning that went into that moment because I wanted it to last a lifetime. Not every moment is meant to be so significant, but a wise leader understands the moment and the message and plans accordingly.
Have you ever tried communicating something of great importance to someone and it seemed to go in one ear and out the other? Next time, try giving a little more thought to the time and place and maybe it will make the words and moment more meaningful and memorable.
Published on Friday, January 22, 2010 @ 1:11 PM CDT
