Note from Jesus
Dear Beloved,
Have you ever been blinded by fear? Have your decisions ever been erratic or inappropriate because you were acting out of terror and confusion? Have you ever done something really stupid because you were trying to deny oncoming reality and wanted to do anything possible to avoid finding out what might happen?
Don’t be too hard on My disciples in the events you read about below. They really looked like insensitive clods in several of the next events in My life because they were confused and fearful. They had risked everything to follow Me. They had seen Me do amazing miracles — feed thousands, still storms, raise the dead, heal the sick, and cast out demons. So they were having a hard time processing My repeated warnings of My impending crucifixion. As Luke describes it below, “they felt too afraid to ask” Me what I was describing because they didn’t want to believe there could be a catastrophe in our future together.
Let those words settle into your heart — “they felt too afraid to ask”!
Most people reach this place of fear at some point in their lives. They need to know, they need to understand what is about to happen, they need to realize what is ahead, but… they feel too afraid to ask anyone, including Me, about what lies ahead. So they end up in arguments over “stupid and vain” questions. In the face of fear, they need to know they belong to Me and are important to Me.
So please know the following truths:
First, you don’t need to have all the answers to people’s problems, but I do want you to serve those who are vulnerable.
Second, don’t discount the good things others do in My name just because you don’t recognize them as part of your group. If they are doing good in My name, then I can use their efforts for the good of the kingdom.
Third, beloved disciple, don’t be too hard on yourself when fear grips you and blinds you about your future. When your fear leads you to do or say dumb, insensitive, or inappropriate things, learn from and don’t repeat your mistakes but don’t beat yourself up. Remember, there will never be a place that you travel in your life that I will not go with you and ultimately bring you safely home to the Father.
Verses to Live
Be encouraging and tender with those who do dumb things because they are afraid or in denial or find themselves confused about the future. Watch how I prepare My disciples as I minister to them on My way to the crucifixion and resurrection. While I do get frustrated with them at times, notice how I warn them of the truth about what is coming and prepare them for what lies ahead. Notice that at other times I leave them promises about the future and assurances that I will not abandon them, but send the Spirit to them. Especially notice how I leave seeds of truth for them to discover as the events unfold — seeds of truth that give them strength for their important ministry ahead. The following verses are just the first stage in My journey to Jerusalem where rejection and the cross await me. So watch how I treat those closest to Me as they journey into the heart of their most unimaginable fears.
Jesus:
Listen. Listen hard. Let these words get down deep: the Son of Man is going to be turned over to the authorities and arrested.
They [the disciples] had no idea what He meant by this; they heard the words but missed the meaning, and they felt too afraid to ask Him to explain further.
Later the close followers of Jesus began to argue over the stupid and vain question, “Which one of us is the greatest disciple?”
Jesus saw what was going on — not just the argument, but the deeper heart issues — so He found a child and had the child stand beside Him.
Jesus:
See this little one? Whoever welcomes a little child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One Who sent Me. The smallest one among you is therefore the greatest.
John:
Master, we found this fellow casting out demons. He said he was doing it in Your name, but he’s not one of our group. So we told him to stop.
Jesus:
What? No! Don’t think like that! Whoever is not working against you is working with you.
(Luke 9:44-50)
Response in Prayer
Dear Father, sometimes fear about things I cannot control makes me do dumb things. Sometimes, dear Father, fear about the future for those I love makes my heart waver and my faith weak. Please, dear God, hear my prayers. Show me Your presence. Give me strength to face each tomorrow. In my confusion and frustration, I need to experience Your nearness, or I cannot handle what is ahead or minister to others in a way that blesses them and honors You. In Jesus’ name, I offer up my heart and my deepest fears to You. Amen.
‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware.
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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.