V.9 - "Jesus reached out is hand and touched the man. I AM WILLING, he said. Be clean!
I AM WILLING to forgive you for your sins. I AM WILLING to rescue you from your own selfishness. I AM WILLING to restore you to the position that you were created for. I AM WILLING to be patient with you as you grow and make mistakes. I AM WILLING to love you continually and unconditionally. I AM WILLING to lead you to places you never thought you could go. I AM WILLING to touch you in ways that make the world shake around you. I AM WILLING to provide you with a peace that surpasses all understanding. I AM WILLING to lead you not into temptation. I AM WILLING to deliver you from the evil one. I AM WILLING to bear the punishment for your sins (death). I AM WILLING to take on ridicule and hostility for your future. I AM WILLING to provide you the pathway to eternity to God. I AM WILLING.
I AM WILLING to do all of this for you Are you willing to accept it? Are you willing to accept me?
Verses 26-27, "He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!'"
I think Matthew 8 makes a major shift. The Sermon on the Mount comes to an end in chapter 7. Now Jesus begins a portion of His ministry that makes me scratch my head a little bit. He heals a leper by touching him. That's a big no no in that society - but Jesus loves the man too much to leave him sick. I want to shout for Jesus on that one.
Then Jesus meets the Roman centurion and has an incredible conversation and we see the faith of a man that is even surprising to Jesus. Jesus turns around and heals the centurion's servant without even having to go near him. Then Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and many others.
Then the whole cost of following Jesus part kicks in full gear. Jesus actually keeps His numbers small by talking about what it really means to follow Him. Interesting way to describe it, but the point is still the same - following Jesus is more difficult than most people think it is. Jesus knows what is on the way - persecution, pain, suffering, the cross. And it begin in the next section as a town full of people ask Jesus to leave the region.
What does all of this mean? Jesus even tells His closest twelve friends they have little faith. What does this mean for me? Following Jesus does not guarantee an easy and comfortable life. There are going to be awesome times of lives being changed for eternity, but there will also be times when people kick me in the stomach. Whatever the circumstances I must trust in God, be obedient to His leading, and love others with all I am and all I have.
Ver 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region
How big a fool are we humans, Jesus has just performed an amazing string of miracles, healing, casting our demons, raising the dead and the town asks him to leave. How many times have we seen the works of God and been amazed and sit in wonder. Then the next day comes even though we might not ask him to leave, we just turn our backs and we walk away. God continually shows his power, love and mercy and we are just too afraid to stand by his side.
Stand strong by His side and life will be good, don't need any miracles, just peace.
24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
How often do we do this ? Our problems come upon us like the waves, do we have faith in Christ to save us from them, or do we try to ignore god and push ahead to take care of them ourselves ?
I find that the more faith I get in God by reading his word and trying to follow his will, the less apt I am to go man's (foolish) ways and go God's wonderful ways.
34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
The town didn't know Jesus, they didn't know that he was their protector, their comfortor. I don't want to follow their footsteps, I know who Christ is, and I want to know him more and more. Lord, if ever I try to push you away, please remind me of who you are.
Charter Oak Church is a family of Jesus followers who want to reach out to those who are searching and equip believers to become fully devoted followers of Jesus.
V.9 - "Jesus reached out is hand and touched the man. I AM WILLING, he said. Be clean!
ReplyDeleteI AM WILLING to forgive you for your sins.
I AM WILLING to rescue you from your own selfishness.
I AM WILLING to restore you to the position that you were created for.
I AM WILLING to be patient with you as you grow and make mistakes.
I AM WILLING to love you continually and unconditionally.
I AM WILLING to lead you to places you never thought you could go.
I AM WILLING to touch you in ways that make the world shake around you.
I AM WILLING to provide you with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
I AM WILLING to lead you not into temptation.
I AM WILLING to deliver you from the evil one.
I AM WILLING to bear the punishment for your sins (death).
I AM WILLING to take on ridicule and hostility for your future.
I AM WILLING to provide you the pathway to eternity to God.
I AM WILLING.
I AM WILLING to do all of this for you
Are you willing to accept it?
Are you willing to accept me?
I am willing, Jesus!
Verses 26-27, "He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, 'What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!'"
ReplyDeleteI think Matthew 8 makes a major shift. The Sermon on the Mount comes to an end in chapter 7. Now Jesus begins a portion of His ministry that makes me scratch my head a little bit. He heals a leper by touching him. That's a big no no in that society - but Jesus loves the man too much to leave him sick. I want to shout for Jesus on that one.
Then Jesus meets the Roman centurion and has an incredible conversation and we see the faith of a man that is even surprising to Jesus. Jesus turns around and heals the centurion's servant without even having to go near him. Then Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and many others.
Then the whole cost of following Jesus part kicks in full gear. Jesus actually keeps His numbers small by talking about what it really means to follow Him. Interesting way to describe it, but the point is still the same - following Jesus is more difficult than most people think it is. Jesus knows what is on the way - persecution, pain, suffering, the cross. And it begin in the next section as a town full of people ask Jesus to leave the region.
What does all of this mean? Jesus even tells His closest twelve friends they have little faith. What does this mean for me? Following Jesus does not guarantee an easy and comfortable life. There are going to be awesome times of lives being changed for eternity, but there will also be times when people kick me in the stomach. Whatever the circumstances I must trust in God, be obedient to His leading, and love others with all I am and all I have.
Ver 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region
ReplyDeleteHow big a fool are we humans, Jesus has just performed an amazing string of miracles, healing, casting our demons, raising the dead and the town asks him to leave.
How many times have we seen the works of God and been amazed and sit in wonder. Then the next day comes even though we might not ask him to leave, we just turn our backs and we walk away.
God continually shows his power, love and mercy and we are just too afraid to stand by his side.
Stand strong by His side and life will be good, don't need any miracles, just peace.
24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" 26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
ReplyDeleteHow often do we do this ? Our problems come upon us like the waves, do we have faith in Christ to save us from them, or do we try to ignore god and push ahead to take care of them ourselves ?
I find that the more faith I get in God by reading his word and trying to follow his will, the less apt I am to go man's (foolish) ways and go God's wonderful ways.
34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
The town didn't know Jesus, they didn't know that he was their protector, their comfortor. I don't want to follow their footsteps, I know who Christ is, and I want to know him more and more. Lord, if ever I try to push you away, please remind me of who you are.