We are heading into a section in Mark where Jesus begins to preach and teach only in parables to the people where it requires a true sense of listening and that beyond our ears to a listening with one’s heart. In a culture where listening is a foreign concept because we are to busy talking and wanting to be heard, understanding of the other is removed by the sound of our own voices. This has handicapped our ability to have constructive conversations that promote change, growth, and development from our marriage relationships down to the relationships with our children and those all around us. Our one mouth has overcome our two ears and we are quicker to speak rather than quicker to listen because truly listening requires a true searching and intentional comprehension of what is being said to obtain true understanding and knowledge that brings about true wisdom and change. Jesus stops speaking to the people in direct truth and now speaks to the people in parables to distinguish the heart of true listeners who go after the true knowledge and understanding in the hopes of gaining true wisdom from God to apply His truth to our lives. This kind of speaking in parables requires a cultivating a listening heart that enables a true response to the truth from the heart!​