Living with Intentionality

I was reading this morning about the disciples asking Jesus about things to come. That was a big topic then. It is a big topic now. There was then, as there is now, much suffering in the world. Wars. Natural disasters. Famine. Disease. Unthinkable evil perpetrated by human beings, one to another. So in Luke 21:7 they ask the question. When? When is this going to be all over?

In classic Jesus style He didn't answer their question. Once again they didn't know which question to ask. He didn't answer when. He answered how. He wanted to prepare them for what was to come. And His answer for them is relevant for us today.

Luke 21:12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are My followers.13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about Me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.

He was giving them amazing counsel but it must have been hard for them to hear. They probably didn't expect to hear the hard things that awaited them, personally. They still had the Savior on a white horse mentality. They wanted Jesus to get the Romans out of their country and set up His kingdom right then and there. They hadn't connected the dots concerning a Savior Who just rode in on a colt, Who was about to be crucified.

We don't know what awaits us in life. We might face these kinds of things or other kinds of trials. But this counsel from the Son of God is none the less relevant for us today. Personally I see great advice on how to view life, on how to follow Jesus in this brief passage.

~ I can look at trials as an opportunity to tell others about Jesus. This may or may not include using words.
~ I can choose to not fear or worry.
~ I can trust Jesus to give me words and wisdom for every situation I find myself in.
~ I can stand firm in my faith knowing that it is how my soul is won.
~ I can be thankful that I can follow Jesus and He will give me what I need for every situation.
~ I can choose not be be bowed down by life but rather bow down to the Lord and trust He will lead as I follow.

I must live in much intentionality in order to follow this wise counsel. Lord help me to have Your perspective as I journey through life. Help me stand firm in my faith as I follow and trust You to be with me. Thank you for giving me words and wisdom to live well, no matter what.

The Gory of the Only Son of the Father

Reading the Psalms this morning. 

Insults and reproach have broken my heart; 
I am full of heaviness and I am distressingly sick. 
I looked for pity, but there was none, 
and for comforters, I have found none.

They gave me also gall [poisonous and bitter] for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar (a soured wine) 
to drink. (See Matthew 27:34, 48)

Psalm 68:20-21 (Amplified Version)

My first morning during this season of Advent, to meditate on Love. Hope, then Peace, then Joy. Now Love. Words to think deeply about. Words to wait in. Advent. Anticipation. We celebrate because He brought us these things. And He left them with us. These are words that give us strength and purpose.

This passage is referring to the suffering Messiah yet to come to Israel. What awaited Him? Insult, reproach, broken heartedness, heaviness, sickness, poison, bitterness, no pity, no comfort, gall and vinegar, thirst and hunger. 

These were His words. This was His fate, God's will for His incarnate life on earth. His mission. It wasn't the whole story but it was a big part of it. And He knew. He knew going in what awaited Him here. 

Yet He came. Jesus Christ was born. God Almighty made flesh. Love came down. He brought us hope. He brought us peace. He brought us joy. He brought us His unfailing, unfathomable, never ending love. 

It is said that the gospel is the story of the great exchange. His life for ours. His punishment for ours. All of the words describing His suffering are words we can relate to in some way. Yet we can exchange them for the words hope, peace, joy, love. He brings us these things still. Every day.

So the Word became human 

and lived here on earth among us. 

He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. 

And we have seen His glory, 

the glory of the only Son of the Father.

John 1:14 (Living Translation)