Right Words, Wrong Tone

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PODCAST

March 28th, 2012

The words were right, but the tone was wrong. Jesus was, in fact, the king of the Jews. However, the soldiers who were mocking Jesus did not believe it. They were shouting the phrase in derision and scorn. As they spit on him, sarcasm filled their voices. The words were right, but the tone was all wrong.

Mark 15 reminds us of how important tone is. Tone is meaningful. An edge in our voices can ruin an otherwise gracious remark. Sarcasm can make complimentary words turn sour.

Our family recently toured the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. On the video screen we saw a Prime Minister, during the oppressive regime of apartheid, saying, “Let us just be friends and live together in peace.” The words were right, but the tone was wrong.

Will those we meet today sense that we are truly interested in them as persons? That we really care? Will they desire to know our Savior?