I was reading an article today about the ability of the human brain to judge trustworthiness in the first split second of the first meeting, without even thinking about it. Our brains pick up on dues, especially particular parts of the face, and make a judgment about the trustworthiness of the other person. I know we aren’t supposed to make snap judgments, that we are supposed to give the benefit of the doubt, but our brains don’t give us that luxury.
Sometimes we rush to judgment before we hear all the facts. Often this happens when something early in the conversation captures our mind, often something that carries a heavy emotional weight attached to it. And once our brain gets captured by that emotional hook, it can often be hard to bring our mind back into the conversation. Often we notice this when we drift for a few moments. Often we don’t even know why our mind took a detour. It just did.
I can imagine the disciples listening to Jesus tell them again about His upcoming future in Jerusalem and their minds getting stuck long before He got to the words about His resurrection. They have the picture that Jesus is going to rule here on earth as the Messiah King, seated on King David’s throne, ruling over other nations. They see Him as the One who will free the Jews from the oppression placed on them by Rome.
Even though Jesus has told them before about His upcoming death, they haven’t been able to hear it. And they certainly haven’t heard the news about His resurrection. I mean, think about it. Your teacher, mentor, miracle worker tells you that He is going to be handed over to the enemy, those who have opposed and ridiculed Him since the beginning. These enemies have been plotting and deceptive in their dealings in the past. What will they think of next?
Then they will condemn Him to death and allow the Romans to do their dirty work. And these Gentiles, these utter enemies, will play with Him, as masters of humiliation. And then He will be killed. Killed! You have got to be kidding. How will you defeat the Romans if you are dead? This can’t be true.
No wonder they didn’t hear the news about the Resurrection!
If you are going to give good and bad news, always give the good news first. People won’t hear the good otherwise. They will get stuck on the bad news and not hear the good. This is why doctors who have to give difficult, life-altering news to their patients try to do it in small doses, stretched over time. This allows the brain to grapple with the news and be better able to hear the good news, if there is any.
Tell the good news first. Or should I say, tell the Good News first. Tell of the hope we have in Jesus, what He did on our behalf, His rescue plan. Then tell the horrible situation we find ourselves in. They already know their desperate situation. Tell the Good News first.
The Arnold Journey 