“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” Heb 5:7-10
Jesus sobbed and sweat blood and agonized (Lk 22:44) at the thought of the torturous death that was about to come upon Him. Yet He moved forward—not my will, but thine be done. Learning, it says, obedience through His sufferings.
How can we ever complain about our suffering in this world? Or feel justified to say that because we are “sons and daughters of the Most High God” we don’t have to suffer in this life? Or somehow actually believe that we are above suffering, that those who suffer must not be walking right with God? How can we read His word not be wrenched with heart pain knowing the reality of not only the physical torment Jesus went through for us, but the emotional and spiritual as well?
Yet through it all, He was made perfect, the author of eternal salvation. For whom? All them that obey Him.
Holy Father, forgive us who often think that we are above suffering, that we are here simply to be blessed with a life of earthly pleasures. Change our hearts Lord. Help us to see Your truths—not the world’s truths, manmade truths. Let us count it joy in suffering, for then we know we are counted worthy of You. Father forgive us our pride, forgive us our selfish desires, our fleshly lusts, all those things that prevent us from truly following You with all our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. Open our eyes, enlighten our understanding, until we can see Your reality for us in this world. Holy Jesus, I praise You and thank You and surrender before You all that I am. We forget, we’ve taken for granted all that You went through, the depths of agony that You suffered for us. Remind us Lord. Prick our hearts to repent of this world we’ve allowed to infiltrate our hearts and minds. We give You alone all glory and honor for there is NONE OTHER worthy. In Jesus holy name, Amen.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Faith
“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.” (John 6:5-7)
Do we honestly believe that Jesus had to ask Phillip for advice on how to handle this particular situation? Do we think He really needed to send the disciples on a scavenger hunt to see what was available from the people (Mark 6:38)? The moment Jesus lifted up His eyes, He could have spoken one word and have manna fall from heaven or fishes wash up on the shore.
Sometimes, however, God may look at us and say, “What now?” He may let us get down to our “two hundred” which “is not sufficient” as far as we can see. He may even let us get down to our last five loaves and two small fishes, but He is always more than able. As Jesus was proving Philip in this moment, so He allows our faith to be tested. In what looks like a dire moment of need, Jesus may be asking, “Do you believe I am able?”
Give thanks for what you do have, move forward as God directs, stand fast in your faith that He is MORE than able, and watch God bless your faith to not only meet your every need, but to overflow upon those around you.
“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained OVER AND ABOVE unto them that had eaten.” (John 6:11-13)
Do we honestly believe that Jesus had to ask Phillip for advice on how to handle this particular situation? Do we think He really needed to send the disciples on a scavenger hunt to see what was available from the people (Mark 6:38)? The moment Jesus lifted up His eyes, He could have spoken one word and have manna fall from heaven or fishes wash up on the shore.
Sometimes, however, God may look at us and say, “What now?” He may let us get down to our “two hundred” which “is not sufficient” as far as we can see. He may even let us get down to our last five loaves and two small fishes, but He is always more than able. As Jesus was proving Philip in this moment, so He allows our faith to be tested. In what looks like a dire moment of need, Jesus may be asking, “Do you believe I am able?”
Give thanks for what you do have, move forward as God directs, stand fast in your faith that He is MORE than able, and watch God bless your faith to not only meet your every need, but to overflow upon those around you.
“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained OVER AND ABOVE unto them that had eaten.” (John 6:11-13)
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