Reading Jesus: Faith
As I reflected on Jesus this morning, I was thinking about everything that he did came from a place of faith. Jesus had faith. His entire life, from the story of his birth through his ministry and eventual execution was lived- out in faith in God.
Even when faced with "nay sayers", hunger, temptatation, isolation, betrayal of friends, and with nails in his wrists and puncture wounds in his side, he lived from faith. Even when he felt forsaken by the very God who gave him life, he still cried out, "My God, my God." Jesus remained true to his faith in God.
Jesus didn't seek the apporoval from the standards of the law or the world, he chose to remain full of faith despite the intense trial and tribulations. I'm imagine he heard all the rationalizations, justifications and excuses from those he encountered on why to "give-up" his faith. I imagine by the campfire at night talking to his buddies there perhaps was a time of two where they were wondering about his faith.
Jesus knew God intimatley. Jesus trusted God's will-- God's plan-- God's way. It wasn't a feeling; it was faith in God.
In my own life, there have been times of doubt; times to give-up and walk away; to stop trying, quit believeing. But faith isn't a feeling; it is an action. An decision to step out into the darkness, knowing that the Light will come.
As I Read Jesus, I am given the hope and promise that God is always faithful to the end. That through pain, suffering, darkness, hate, sin, and trials-- God lives. Through the life of Jesus, I know that God is alive in this world. I don't know where you are today or what is happening in your life, but look to Jesus; read his life; and have faith, God will prevail.
3 Comments:
Rick, I agree. God Lives - in everything I encounter. That is why Jesus said, "Oh ye of little faith".
I see from my own life that God always gives me what is best for my highest good, not what my ego, my lower self, wants. I said to God just a few days ago, "What took you so long in bringing about this particular turn of events". I knew as I spoke those words it was my faith that was lacking, not God. I, once again, was told that it was my patience that was at lacking, not God's response. I know that God always sends us the help that is best considering the entire picture, while I'm focused on some small aspect of the overall picture and base my judgment on the little I see.
Rick, keep sharing the truths you have found as an opportunity to see things from a different perspective.
This is one of the best spiritual blogs out there.
matt
Rick, just a thought, you do know that Jesus is God. Right?
Hello "anonymous",
Not sure what your point you are attempting to make??? Sorry if I missed something by your question.
I hope you find this comment and that you spend a little time reading my posts and the explanantion of why I wrote them.
If we fell to see Jesus as FULLY human, there's a great chance we'll miss Jesus the God.
I encourage you to spend sometime with your Lord as his is betrayed by his friends; stand beside him as he is accused and your fate is sealed by someone seeking the approval of the religious and political culture; spend some time with him at the table with the prostitutes and tax collectors; touch a few lepers and risk losing the "approval" of the religious leaders in your community; drop your stone and kneel beside Jesus and as you reflect on your own sin and not the sin of others; go to the mountain with Jesus and listen to him speak to his "Father" in heaven; break the religious codes set by your tradition in order for others to see God and be healed; go to the Garden with Jesus as he cries out for God to remove the cup from him; empty yourself of all your power; and then go ahead and make your way to the electric chair; the noose; the gas chamber; or better yet, the CROSS... journey with the FULLY human side of Jesus... die with him... bleed... die for what he lived for... touch his wounds and show your friends yours...and it is there perhaps that we'll be able to call him Lord... God. For it is only by entering the life of the human Jesus, that we'll know him as God... and really believe.
Do I believe Jesus was the WORD made FLESH... God? Of course, but it's only by reading his life, ministry, suffering, death as one who was FULLY human, that I will ultimately recongize him as the One who is Divine... it is when I SEE him... ALL of him, that I can say that I have seen the Father.
I hope that helps.
Keep coming back.
Post a Comment
<< Home