Discipleship

God’s Classroom

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Not too long ago I broke a toe while stumbling through the house with my morning coffee. That tiny fracture made big changes in my routine for months. Oh how I complained especially over the loss of my morning walks. From a day with our family to just going to church.nothing was untouched. The small steady pain was a constant reminder to carefully weigh the necessity of every step.

In our walk with Christ most of us have broken a few toes as we stumble here and there. One second we are strong and assured while the next we are wondering if it is worth taking the next step. God has more often than not incorporated pain into His lesson plan to get my attention. It is a method guaranteed to make me think over what is truly good and necessary versus what is just a passing fancy. When each step is painful it is vital to decide which ones are vital in my path.

I am still learning that when I pray for God to show me His ways then not to complain about His classroom methods. Each day is another in a chain of miracles called life. God’s desire is that even in its tiniest details – both the mundane and the unexpected that I am being given the chance to learn more of His love for me.

Things Left Behind

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He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6 KJV

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It is often told of how Jesus left the wonders of heaven to come to earth; but today we want to also remember what things Jesus left behind before He returned from earth to heaven. First He left the honored place as oldest son and Joseph’s carpenter in order to begin His ministry to the poor and downtrodden. He also left behind His simple village life in exchange for a desert where He fasted and was tempted by the devil for 40 days. Later as people saw the miracles He performed, the crowds grew to multitudes; but Jesus turned and walked away from fame and power.

At the Last Supper Jesus humbled Himself further by taking off His robe in order to wash His disciples’ feet. After the meal He went out into the garden to pray and, piece by piece gave up His will to the Father. Then, Jesus left behind His disciples to be betrayed by Judas and arrested by the soldiers. The next day, He received the death sentence of the cross where He suffered for six mind numbing hours. Last of all with His final breath He gave His spirit into the hands of into His Father.

So, as the sun prepared to rise on the morning of the third day they went to the tomb but they could not find Him because He had already given Himself away!  He left it all behind and has risen from the dead!

Come and See

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Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”  “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” John 1:38-39a

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Jesus had a way of dealing with new followers which was a lot different than ours. He didn’t say, “Come and do” or “Come and give.” In fact Jesus began the conversation with a question, “What do you want?” Whether at the door of the church or alone on a mountain trail, God asks us every morning, “What do you want?” Am I following just because someone told me to or do I really want to for myself? His test is not about our ability to serve Him but our desire to know Him.

When we go looking for Jesus we will find Him. He knows us but He waits for us to long to know Him. Then Jesus extends the invitation, “Come and see!” Jesus wants us to get to know Him because He isn’t afraid of what we will find. Every day is an opportunity for a new discovery of His character, His will and His heart. Maybe you have received an invitation that says: RSVP. That stands for the French “Répondez s’il vous plait” – “Respond if you please. “ We have received an invitation to come to know Jesus. Jesus waits to see if we will respond. Do we really want to know where He lives? He calls out, “Come and see!”