Based on today’s reading, what areas of my life do I need to put into Christ’s hands because I trust him?
In verses 1-11 we find Jesus willing to be interrupted to serve someone in need. He can provide what we need, sometimes saving the best for last, which requires extreme patience on our part. The thing that sticks out most in these verses is Mary’s confident trust in Jesus when she says to the servants “do whatever he tells you” (v.5). It was as if she believed that Jesus could do anything, solve any problem, fix what is broken. Mary is a great illustration of trust. Today I will be quick to put my trust him and encourage others to do the same by telling them “do whatever Christ tells you.” As I counsel people in need today, I want to hold up Jesus as trustworthy just like Mary did. I want to trust that Jesus can make a difference in my life and in the lives of others.
Based on today’s reading, how can I lovingly submit to Christ by obeying his commands?
In verses 12-17 the place of worship became a means through which the religious leaders could abuse and oppress people instead of serving and helping them. The people of God should not be self-serving; yet many churches struggle with the temptation to use people instead of serving people. The religious leaders were marking up the prices on Temple animal sacrifices and charging extremely high exchange rates, making it more and more difficult for people, especially the poor, to connect with God through worship. While we don’t do that at SWC, I do sense that God is challenging me to guard us from putting needless obstacles in a person’s path to God.
Another challenge for me comes in v.25. We love affirmation from people, but Jesus made sure that his number one source of affirmation was from the Father. People can be fickle but God is consistent. We should be seeking to please him and get our ultimate kudos from Him. If we don’t, we will find that pleasing others becomes more important to us than pleasing God.
6 comments:
One of the big lessons I have been learning in the past few years is that I don't know what God is going to do in a certain situation. Assuming I know his mind is making a.... out of only me. About the time I think He will do such and such I discover that "no" that is not the way he is going to do it, so listening hard has been my goal for me to be able to truly obey hm.
Lenny, there is a verse in Psalms I read the other day and can't find it right now (I have to go to work) that speaks to what you said about pleasing him. It basically says, "how can you learn to trust me when you spend your time gaining praise from others?" I never put those two things together before but really emphasizes the seriousness of how our faith is affected by who we go to for approval.
Questions--is Jesus arguing with his mother? was he insecure about his power? not ready for public exposure? did he intrinsically understand that people would be attracted to his power but repulsed by his ascetic message, i.e., what can I get from following Jesus vs. what will it cost me? and then these poignant words . . . "but Jesus would not entrust himself to them [many people], for he knew all men . . ." another question--who does God trust? Does he trust me? I pray that I will be a disciple He can trust--today--and every day-- to lovingly care for those fragile souls He brings across my path.
I am challenged from today's reading to be more interruptable when someone needs me. I am also challenged to be like Mary and automatically go to Jesus to solve problems and fix things instead of trying to think of my own solutions first and then going to Him when they fail. It's amazing how much time I waste trying it my way!
Today's reading reinforces the need to DAILY give it ALL over to God. Sometimes it is even minute by minute. That is always a challenge to fully trust God 24/7 100% of the time. As I've gotten older, I can catch myself more quickly taking the control back.
I also think at times that God is going to answer a certain way and then bam.. He goes in a totally different direction. And the great thing is, it turned out better than if He would have done it my way.
Roberta, Erica and Debbie great observations. Roberta, let me know where that verse is in the Psalms.
Anonymous, let me take a crack at your questions... I'm not sure I would say Jesus was arguing with his mother, though you're right in asserting that he didn't seem ready to do a miracle yet. I also wonder if Jesus initially felt this kind of miracle, turning water into wine, was not all that worthy of his effort. Yet, he did it. Perhaps this is in here to highlight that Jesus even cares about the less than vital details of our lives- like running out of drink to give guests. I also agree with you that Jesus wanted to be known more for his message about the kingdom of God than his miracle ministry.
Your comment about Jesus trusting us is insightful. I heard a preacher once ask a question repeatedly throughout his sermon, "We can trust Jesus, but can he trust us?" I think this is a fair question and one that each professing follower of Christ must honestly wrestle with. If a person who professes to trust Christ does not, in time, become more trustworthy then I wonder if they are really trusting Christ.
Thanks,
Lenny
. . .arguing wasn't the right word but the story offers an interesting glimpse into the family dynamics--Mary doesn't outright ask Jesus to "fix" the problem; it's more like an "assumptive close" . . . I often approach God that way, with the underlying assumption that He's obligated to make the crooked path straight, the wrong, right. Does He address this problem out of respect for His earthly mother? Or--do we believe it was a providential move since "his disciples put their faith in him" (because of the sign), and this in spite of the fact He knew that His time had not yet come.
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