Jesus visits Simon, and the fisherman is astonished by the biggest catch of his life. Jesus visits a deserted place, and He feeds an imposing crowd to the full with bread, fish and truth. And when Jesus visits Nain, Jairus, and Bethany, Death is compelled to release an only son, a young daughter, a beloved brother.
Doesn't everyone long to have Jesus visit us with His power?
It seems likely that others may have asked Jesus to raise their deceased loved ones, desiring restored life and love, greatest among God's blessings. People certainly returned looking for more after Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes. And though Simon Peter cowered before the might of God and asked Jesus to leave him rather than empower him as a fisherman, (for he knew himself to be a sinful man), Judas is at least one man who thought to improve his status by capitalizing on his connection to Jesus.
Are we guilty of the same?
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' "
~ Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)
We are given a few temporal treasures here on Earth for the briefest of time, as a test of our hearts. We are ever inclined to pray with our sights on temporal blessings—success in business, comfort, fulfilling relationships. These are indeed blessings, to be sought in good conscience. But they are merely the means to many greater ends. We set our sights far too low.
Simon was a good fisherman. Peter was a greater evangelist. Bread comforts our hunger for a few hours. The Bread of Life nourishes our souls for a lifetime. Even if our loved ones are raised from the dead, death will separate us again on another day. Those born again shall never die (John 11:26), destined to spend eternity together.
God challenges me today: "What is your life?" Will I ask to appropriate His power for the good and lesser things that I see? Or do I ask Him to work in me the greater things that He sees?
Have Your way, Lord—with my time, my treasure, my talents. Have Your way in my life. Please reveal enough to me that I might cooperate with You.
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Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Amen, amen.
ReplyDeleteIsn't He wonderful, Denise?
DeleteI apologize for getting off topic here Anne but while chasing out the links up above I made a HUGE discovery! as much as I've heard about us as being sons and daughters
ReplyDeleteto God I never really believed it. maybe because I never really saw it written plainly in the Word. after expanding the verse for Jairus to the entire chapter, i saw it!
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer;[h] your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
the fact that Jesus actuaally called her daughter absolutely floored/floors me. it puts things in a different light now.
think i will go blog it.
Bud, if it's about God and His Word, it's not off topic here—least of all that we who are in Christ are children of God.
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Love this post! While I have prayed for a better job, restoration of health for someone, and the like, there is no greater desire of my heart than for my family to love Jesus in spirit and in truth... especially my children.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, Lord reign in my own life!
Mary, I was just speaking with a mother yesterday as she questioned her compentency. (Don't we all?) Like you, she has made teaching her children about Jesus a priority. I assured her that wherever else we fall short, the most important factor in our stewardship of precious children is whether or not we have made Jesus known to them in every way possible. Thank you for being such a beautiful example of that in my life.
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