The disciples had forgotten the things Jesus told them He was going to go through, until later, when they “looked” back. Can’t we also look back over our own life, touched so many times, with the hands of God? We were in a dark place, all alone, forgetting the promises we knew from scripture. We weren’t alone at all. God was hearing our prayers for help, for relief from the burden, the stress, the grief. He was working to move us to a different place. A place of peace and acceptance. There are things we experience in life that we think we may not survive. Looking back enables us to see that walking “with” Jesus instead of Him having to “pull” us through our life makes the wilderness journeys, much easier? He did not leave us by the wayside. He ministered to us in the wilderness days. This way, come this way, follow me.
Our enemy would have us believe that we and we alone were the source of survival of very difficult things. That somehow our “performance” was what brought us through illness, children going through difficult times, crisis in the workplace, death of a loved one. We girded ourselves in bravery. We made things happen to cause the outcome of tragic circumstances, false accusations, financial difficulties, the stages of grief, reverse into correction, well being and prosperity. We did that! Wrong thinking about the promises of God, started in the garden and lives on.
Remember what we learned as children? When we sang Jesus loves me, this I know? Had we really grasped the full meaning of that song? Had we claimed that promise, we could have spared ourselves so many days and nights, toiling in the wilderness, thinking that we were totally alone, unloved, uncared for, destined for failure? Thinking our survival was dependent on our own performance, our right choices, our bravery, our efforts alone. Had we remembered all that Jesus told us through scripture, we would never have felt we “were on our own.” Stumbling alone in the deserts that became survival events of our life. Wilderness journeys that we thought would never end.
Many people saw Lazarus raised from the dead. Word spread. They didn’t care that this miracle worker rode in on a donkey instead of the horse of a warrior. They worshipped Him. They witnessed a man, well known to the community, dead and in grave clothes, walk out of the tomb at the command of Jesus. They did not care if it was politically correct to go against the old, rigid, law abiding leaders of their day. They lined up and worshipped Him as He passed by them, inspite of the cost. Unabashed worship of a miracle worker.
How do we worship Him now, in this day of political correctness? Do we speak His name? Do we speak openly of His place in our daily lives? Or do we hide in the shadows and worship Him in secrecy, lest we be found a believer? Do we quietly whisper, “My Savior” as He passes through our daily lives? Or do we glorify His place in our life, openly, giving him all the glory?
The Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day were somewhat like our “political correctness” regulators now. They had in their mind the law and how it should be followed. Quick to reprimand and caution against following this man who dared defy their place of authority. Jesus was not following the protocol they had ruled over for so many years. He stirred the pot.
Each wilderness event that we come through is in some ways our own Lazarus moment. We were in a dark place. Jesus came and called us out to live again. Stronger than the day before. Encouraged. Are we a pot stirrer for Jesus or a purveyor of political correctness? Are we anxious to give the glory for our survival this far to Jesus, or keep our Savior to ourself, so we don’t risk breaking the new rules of our society? Look back and celebrate the blooms of your journey.
~Scripture For Today~
John 12:12-19
12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” 16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. 17 So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him. 18 For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.” (NASB)
Isaiah 35:1
35 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. (KJV)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Hallowed be thy Name. Even today, we have those who would press down our worship of Your Son, Jesus. Those who say it is not politically correct to speak or even write His name. They would have us believe that He is irrelevant. Oh, but Father. Only those who can look back through their lives and chart their personal wilderness journey can speak loudly the name of Jesus. For it was He, who walked us through those dark days. It was He who carried us when we could not walk. It was He who loved us though we were like filthy rags. It was He who offered grace instead of condemnation. We pray for the boldness of David. Warriors for Jesus before the naysayers. Forgive us for our silence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.