on July 25, 2013
Luke 9:43-45 – While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Okay, pay attention and listen up! I’ve got something really important to tell you! While everyone was enraptured with what Jesus DID, He’s communicating to His disciples who He IS and what is going to be DONE to HIM! But they didn’t get it! They were consumed with thoughts of Jesus reigning in a temporal kingdom, and them alongside Him sharing in secular positions of glory and power. Jesus had been demonstrating unequaled miraculous powers that had gained the interest and support of the public in such a way that they could now see it coming to pass. Knowing what was in their hearts, Jesus takes this occasion to tell them again what He had told them before. The near future was not going to bring Him the popular support of men, rather it would bring betrayal, dishonor, and see Him die in disgrace. None of this present admiration would be able to prevent it. So, listen carefully; take special notice of what I’m saying to you and don’t allow your ears to be stopped by any notions you may have of the temporal kingdom of the Messiah. Don’t follow your hearts and hopes on this matter, listen carefully to what I’m telling you – accept it, believe it and submit to it!
The word of Christ does us no good unless we let it sink down into our heads and hearts! Our own ambitions, desires and dreams can get in the way of grasping and understanding truth and reality. The very things Christ means to communicate to us can remain hidden because His words do not agree with our notions. Even though He spoke plainly, the disciples would not understand it because it didn’t fit with their world view and aspirations. So, they didn’t get it! Men and women, boys and girls are affected by the same hearing disorders in 2013! We love Jesus, but some of His words are hard and don’t fit with our program, so WE DON’T GET IT!
There is no shame in “not getting it,” but “they were afraid to ask Him about it.” How many students could have been enlightened if they had only had courage to ask questions? Christ is not distressed by our questions related to His Word! On this occasion, it’s apparent that they were afraid to ask Him because they were enjoying their dream and did not wish for it to be shattered. They were content with their pleasing deception of what the future might hold for them and Him. They did not want to understand what Jesus was saying in a literal sense because it didn’t agree with their notions. Can anyone relate to them? Don’t be afraid to ask Him to enlighten your understanding and world view when it comes to things you “don’t get” in His Word! Let the truth and reality of Christ’s Word sink into your head and your heart!
Thursday: Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
Friday: Pray for the Good News families of the week: Dave & Sarah George (Nathanael, Rachael), Jon & Suzan George (Hannah, Abby, Jacob, Samuel), Matt & Megan George (Nicole).
Saturday: Listen carefully to the Word of Christ! Make sure you “get it!”
Sunday: Listen carefully to the Word of Christ! Make sure you “get it!”
Monday: If you don’t “get it,” make sure you ask questions.
Tuesday: Don’t be afraid to change your world view in the light of His Word!
Wednesday: Let the truth and reality of His Word sink into your head and your heart!
Prayer Challenge: My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:19-25)