Jesus

The Disciples Didn’t Get It, Until…

/ Bill Jones / 7 Comments
English: The Last Supper, showing Jesus, at th...

Jesus said: “One of you shall betray me”.

“And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And, as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” Mark 14:17-19 ESV

We read in the Gospels that the disciples often just didn’t get it. They were with Jesus and He was teaching them and showing His power through miracles on a daily basis. But, because they didn’t get it, Jesus’ words to them often began with “Oh, ye of little faith”.

The disciples were there when Jesus fed five thousand men (plus women and children) from a few loaves and fishes. Yet, not long after that, Jesus asked them about feeding four thousand and they said it couldn’t be done.

Jesus kept repeating the fact that He was going to Jerusalem to die. Yet, they took it to mean He was going to start His earthly reign, and spent time arguing over which of them would get the highest office in that kingdom. They just didn’t get it.

However, in the Scripture above, during what we call The Last Supper, they did get it. When Jesus said one of them would betray Him, they didn’t accuse each other and point fingers of guilt. No, each of them sorrowfully recognized his own weakness and asked the troubling question “Is it I?”

Before we start condemning them, we need to ensure we get it. We need to recognize we have no real strength without Jesus. We may not betray Him in the same manner He described, but we can betray our faith in many different ways.

The assurance comes, though, in that we don’t have to act on our own strength. 1 John 4:4 tells us Whose strength we can rely on:

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 ESV

No Barriers, No Defeat – With God!

/ Bill Jones / 9 Comments
Barrier

Barrier (Photo credit: Plbmak)

Several years ago, our company held a business retreat that, as they normally do, featured a motivational speaker. He had worked his way into the Olympics in one of the solo sailing events. It was a good story, as he came from a disadvantaged country and family. And, it was motivational.

The slogan used for the retreat (and the title of the book describing his accomplishment) was something like “No Barriers, No Defeat!”

The various sessions had that as the theme, and the speakers adapted it to their subject. The organizers did an excellent job of weaving those words throughout all the sessions and events. When the gathering ended at lunchtime on the third day, the excitement was evident. We left as a group thinking: “we can do it – no barriers, no defeat!”, and as individuals applying it to ourselves: “I can do it – no barriers, no defeat!”.

But, as usual, in the aftermath of such a retreat, getting back into the day-to-day work can bring down the excitement level. The same problems exist, the routine is still routine, and there are still barriers and defeats – no matter what words you say.

Much like those described as in the “rocky ground” in Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, there was a group who heard the words and got excited, but quickly lost motivation when the troubles arose once more.

Jesus explained that the seed being sown was the Word of God and in the rocky ground, it didn’t take root (the Holy Spirit had not prepared their heart to be “good ground”). The “rocky ground” folks were acting on their own emotions and strength.

And, that’s where most of us were as we stated: “No barriers, no defeat”. We thought if we just tried hard enough, focused clearly enough, and were strong enough, we would win all the battles. But, we know that’s not true.

The poem “Invictus” has a line: “I am the master of my fate”. I once thought that a powerful statement, but now understand it’s nothing but silliness and arrogance.

I’m not implying that we shouldn’t work against barriers to do what needs to be done. Neither am I implying we should give up if things are hard to do. No, I’m saying we have to change our focus.

We have to turn from any “man-centered” thinking (such as the Invictus line) and turn to God. Not saying what we will do (on our own), but acknowledging, as instructed in James 4:13-17, that if the Lord wills, we will do this or that. Recognizing, as Jesus says (John 15:5), we can do nothing apart from Him.

And, with those passages and this Scripture, we can fearlessly (yet humbly) go against whatever barriers may exist: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 NKJV.

Through the years I’ve modified the slogan we used that week. The first variation, instead of “No Barriers, No Defeat” became “No Arrogance, No Conceit”. But, on consideration, I think it may be more appropriate to say “No Barriers, No Defeat – with God!”

Praying and Pondering Go Well Together

/ Bill Jones / 6 Comments
National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Praying can lead to pondering. And, pondering can lead to praying. They go well together and the Psalms often combine the two.

There are several good synonyms used to define ponder (and I’ll use various ones): meditate, consider, deliberate, contemplate, and muse. The longer definition of ponder that appeals to me is “To weigh in the mind, with thoroughness and care.” It’s not just a quick thought and then move on – the thoroughness and care are critical.

David gives a good example of praying and pondering in Psalm 143. “Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.” (v1-2). David prays for mercy, and then considers that on his own, he isn’t righteous before God.

In verses 3 and 4, he ponders to the point of “Woe is me!”

“For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled.” (v3-4)

            Then his contemplation turns in the right direction:

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah” (v5-6)

And, David finishes the Psalm with combinations of praying and pondering – acknowledging how much he needs God’s help and mercy, and giving the reasons he is asking for that help and mercy.  David concludes that all will be well because he is God’s servant.

“Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge! Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.”(v7-12)

It is good for us to ponder long on the goodness and greatness of God, and meditate on what He has done for us. The more we thoroughly and carefully ponder those things, the deeper our prayer life will be.

By God’s Power, We Live

/ Bill Jones / 7 Comments

Hibiscus Plant

This Hibiscus plant is one of our favorites every year. It continues to put out blooms all summer long. During the winter it dies back to the ground and leaves a skeleton of dead branches. But, in early spring, the new shoots begin to show above the ground and by the end of spring it’s grown back to this size. Amazing how God brings life back to it!

It reminds me of Ezekiel in the Valley of Dry Bones, as God gave us a picture of His power to give life to the dead – such as with us sinners who were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), but now live through Jesus’ sacrifice.

“The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones…he said to me, “son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD… So I prophesied as I was commanded…and the bones came together…and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them…and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army” Ezekiel 37:1-10 ESV

By the power of God, we live!