I am increasingly devastated by the magnitude of Jesus. If you spend 3 minutes in a church these days, you will inevitably cross paths with a young pastor who still thinks popping his collar is cool, and wears t-shirts way to small for him, quoting the brilliance of Paul, Peter or John. Of course every word of what those men said are true, but I fear for many of us we have categorically peered over the Gospels and put them in the "I Already Know That Story" section. As I continued to read through the book of Matthew I was drawn more and more to Him...to Jesus! I have spent the greatest years of my life singing praises to my King until my voice goes raw, and today I came face to face with the magnitude and the POWER of my King....my Jesus!
I was drawn closer to the man who was filled with Compassion and Mercy. Time and time again He gives all of Himself to those around Him...most of whom today we wouldn't give a second glance to. I see a homeless person and in my mind weigh his story and convince myself that he is product of his own choices, and he should do something about it. But Jesus loved and healed and He forgave....and left the person to choose if they would follow.
There is an intensity to Jesus that compels me to move. He stirs my affection for Him through His Compassion and Mercy, and He challenges my intellect with His parables. But HE CUTS THROUGH TO MY VERY HEART because His message is definitive. HE HAS COME DIVIDE. Does that sound scary? I think it does.
The reality is that the fruit of our lives is more than just a cliche for getting people to give their tithes and offerings without complaining, or show up on a saturday morning to serve in the latest ministry that needs people. Yes those things are important! But...a tree is judged not by the strength of its trunk, the depths of its roots or the beauty of its leaves...it is judged by the fruit! A tree can look healthy and strong...but if it has no fruit it has no functional use, other than perhaps being a source of firewood. Yes, giving to the Lord our resources IS IMPORTANT as is SERVING diligently. But FRUIT is the outpouring of The Holy Spirit within us, it is not the works by which we labor for labor sake. I must depend on The Holy Spirit to work in me and give me POWER so that in all things the name of Christ is elevated and ALL men are drawn to Him!
Justice! Mercy! Faithfulness! Those are the words of Jesus! I am staring at His words face to face. Do I fight for justice? Do I extend mercy? Do I live by faith DAILY? I am looking into the depths of myself and struggling for answers.
As I continually ask the The Holy Spirit to reveal His Word to me more and more, I am continually humbled by the words of Jesus and my desire to know Him more grows steadily. I am drawn to Jesus. I want Him to know me more than ever. This challenge is just beginning and I am smart enough to know I am too weak to do it without The Holy Spirit.
Nirup
Wow! Great reflection Nirup! I will be totally honest that this has been the first time that I have read the bible (except for a little Sunday School when I was a child). I understand much of what I am reading, but reading your reflections help me to have an even greater understanding of the word of God! Thank you! This will be a powerful 30 days!
Posted by: Eric Schwarzer | 01/27/2010 at 05:14 AM
Eric,
I will be praying for you too, that the Holy Spirit would continue to open your eyes and your heart to the Word of God. This is going to be a great 30 days for you...I can feel it!
Posted by: Nirup Alphonse | 01/27/2010 at 07:56 AM
Im with you on the "I Already Know That Story" section." This time around, im reading with an open mind, trying to let the Spirit reveal to me questions, new things for me to think about. I have already felt my self being stretched and challenged to decrease as God increases in my life. Thanks for your thoughts - i love to read them! :)
Posted by: Bre | 01/27/2010 at 10:58 AM