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Showing posts with label Disciples. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disciples. Show all posts
If you have children of your own, or spend any amount of time with children, you undoubtedly are familiar with that blank and puzzled face staring deep into your soul. That face that is soon followed by the question “you want us to do what?” Whether it is an inability to understand the command given, a stubborn streak leading them to disobey, or a failure to hear the full command, our children often do not want to do what we ask of them.
Although excuses can be endless, the most grumbling heard in our house is when what is asked of them is not easy or popular, or requires them to step out of their normal routine. Regardless of what is asked, I am met with resistance. However, as often is the case, our children are simply acting like us.
There are many times we share the same thoughts and feelings about God. Whether it’s after time spent reading His Word or listening to a message, reactions such as: “You want us to do what?” “That’s too hard, I can’t do that.” or “People will think I’m crazy.” flood our mind as we grasp for a good reason not to walk in obedience to His command.
Here again, some advice your mother gave you is very appropriate. “no matter how bad you think you have it, someone else has it worse.” Consider for a moment those first disciples of Christ. On what would prove to be their last full week with their master, Christ asked them to do a crazy, difficult, and odd thing. Listen to Christ command in Matthew 21. “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
Consider this. Christ asked them to go into an unfamiliar village where they would find a donkey (note he never told them where it was). To take it, and bring it to Him. If they are seen, simply to say that I (Jesus) need it. Truly this is a hard command to digest. Something truly out if the ordinary, something crazy, extremely difficult, and requiring a large portion of faith and trust in Christ and His Word.
Faced with a hard (and seemingly illegal task) of finding and taking a donkey, armed with the simple word of Christ (the Lord needs it) and His Promise (he will send them right away) the disciples were faced with an important decision to obey or not. What raced through their minds we may never know, but Matthew 21:6 records their actions, “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.” They chose to obey Christ’s commands, and because of their action another prophecy was fulfilled as Christ rode into Jerusalem like a King.
As followers of Christ, we are often faced with hard things to do. Instructions that seem crazy, impossible, and down right odd. It can be easy to look at the many unknowns, the difficulties, or to wonder what others will say if they see us, and reason that it’s better not to follow it. Yet, just as the disciples, we too are sent with Christ’s authority, equipped with the Word (or answer) of Christ, and have the promise of Him going before us and working out the result. May we too respond like the two disciples in faith and obedience; doing all just as Jesus has instructed us.
Focus on the God who can, and not on the self who won't.
Labels: Children, Christ, Devotions, Disciples, Donkey, Easter, God, Hard Things, Holy Week, Hosanna, Jerusalem, Jesus, King, Matthew 21:1-11, Obedience, Obey, Palm Sunday, Triumphal Entry, Trust, You Want Us To Do What?
Have you ever known someone who has the ability to make things out to be more difficult then they really are, or have to be?
Maybe it was a parent, a former employer, or possibly a college professor. Whenever this person spoke, they seemed to over explain, over analyze, or just plan confuse whatever they were talking about. Some people simply have a knack for taking the simple tasks or processes of life and making them into a complicated mess.
Sadly, I believe at times, the Church has been guilty of this very thing. Too many times well-intended Christians and Christian ministries have made Christ’s love and charge to the church more complex than it really is.
For over 2000 years, man has been guilty of adding language, tasks, traditions, and expectations to many of Christ’s Words. Rather than seeing and treating people like Jesus did, we have often made requirements where He did not, and left out some where He did.
According to Mark 1:17, Jesus’ call to people is much simpler then most of us really realize. Here along the shores of the Sea of Galilee Jesus said simply “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In fact in John 1:39 Jesus Gave a similar command as He said “come and you will see.”
Christ’s desire for His people was made very plain and very simple; Come and Follow and See. Could it really be that clear? Could it really be that simple? Is that all Jesus requires of His people? Simply following Him?
I imagine many of Christ’s early disciples asked similar questions; and His answer was the same then as it is now. “Yes, follow Me.” Christ’s sole desire for us, His people, is that we would “take up our cross and follow Him” with every breath and step we take throughout our life. That we would follow Christ in the good and the bad. That we would follow Christ when it’s easy and when its hard. That throughout every moment of our life we would not lead ourselves, but follow Jesus and His example and desire for our life.
I hope each will accept this invitation, to come and follow Jesus. Come without your biases or preconceived ideas of who this man was, is, or what He requires. To come and meet Jesus through the pages of the Gospels. To spend time with Christ in through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. To read for yourself who Jesus says He is. To see what He has done for you, wants to do in you, and hear what He would have you do with your life; continuing to follow Him through the pages of scripture each day and even day.
Memorial Day is past, school has been released, and the mercury is reaching for the triple digits - summer is here. If your schedule is anything like mine, this summer will prove to be anything but lazy. From conferences to conventions, camps to BBQ’s, family gatherings to time at the beach, summertime is busy. With our shortened warm season this year, we all feel a need to cram as much time in the sun as possible.
In the midst of all the busyness one of the first things to fall by the wayside is church. For many, Sunday worship and certainly midweek study are less important in the summer, and are often treated like a mere winter activity. In the desire to spend time in the S-U-N we forget to spend time with the S-O-N. With a similar state of mind, Hebrews 10:25 is written:
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Neglect is an interesting word. It means “not pay proper attention to; or to disregard” and carries the sentiment of “not taking proper care of someone or something.” It is often used to describe something that is in unkempt and in disarray, due to the disregard of its owner; or in some extreme cases children whose physical and often times emotional state has been weakened from the lack of parental involvement. Yet here the word is applied to Church.
Let us not neglect, or forsake, meeting together; or in other words going to church. Even in the first century Christians had began to let their zeal and commitment to the Lord slip behind other areas of life. In doing so, they neglected their spiritual condition. But why? Why is going to church, meeting together regularily so important, so vital to our spiritual condition? There are three basic reasons:
- It is in Church where we are fed spiritually, where we hear God’s truth taught, are fed spiritually, and have our faith strengthened. Consider what would happen to your physical body if you stopped eating all summer. When we stop feeding on God’s Word our Spiritual bodies weaken as well.
- It’s what God Intended us to do. From the beginning God intended us to be in “Mutual Community.” From the creation of Eve to the calling of the nation of Israel, mankind was not intended to be alone. In fact, Jesus called 12 disciples not one. In Acts the Christians met together, and throughout the New Testament Paul didn’t just evangelize people, he planted churches. For it is within the body of Christ that fellowship and encouragement are found from other believers; challenging us to press on.
- Once we stop going, it’s easy to stay away and hard to go back. From diet to exercise, once we stop doing anything it is very hard to start back up again. Once we stop going to church, it is difficult to get into the routine again.
Today, I urge you in the words of Hebrews 10:25 - Don’t stop meeting together, this summer or ever. Rather make it a priority and discipline to engage in public worship weekly - wether at home or away. It is my prayer that you will be spend plenty of time with the S-O-N this summer.
There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. ~ Mark 9:1-2, 8
As an avid sports fan, I hear this phrase often. It's usually spoken by an analysts about an up and coming athlete who has yet to preform at the consistence level most believe he can. Whereas, most of the time his performance is average (or below) there are moments where his sensational play shines light on just how good he could be.
This is the experience that three of the Apostles in Mark 9. What started out as an ordinary day, soon turned exceptional. For a brief moment, they saw their Rabbi in fullness of His divine glory; a small glimpse of what is to come. For some time they had heard Him teach, heal, and even perform miracles. But they never had seen anything like this before; the stunning presence of God's Glory. Although it was for only a moment, it had a lasting affect on their lives.
As we go about our days, life can seem anything but remarkable; thats when it happens - we get a glimpse of God Power, His Glory. In the life a person broken by sin, though the prayers of another surrendered to Christ, or the testimony of God's healing in a family, we get to see His Power, His Work, His Glory. Like the apostles, may these times leave us speechless and changed for life. During the dry and discouraging days, let us recall these Glimpses of Glory. May they encourage, inspire, and remind us whom we serve.
Lord, please open my eyes so that I do can see your glory as the Apostles did, and remind me of these during the mundane days ahead.
Labels: Apostles, Christ, Devotions, Disciples, Encouragement, Glory, God, Greatness, Jesus, Mark 9:1-13, Power, Prayer, Sports, Testimony, Transfiguration, Transfigured
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