Jesus had just spoken to the crowd about the parable of the seed. He spoke spiritual truth and the disciples, like the crowd, did not understand the meaning. It is like the Word of God in the Bible. You read the words that are written – you understand, on a natural, human level, but there is a deep spiritual meaning that only the Spirit of God can revel to your heart – not your mind. The Bible must be read and can only be understood in the context of who the Father is, who Jesus is, who the Spirit is, and who you are because of your faith and relationship with all three. The life we live on this planet can only, truly, be understood in the context of our new life in Christ.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
We are saved for eternity, but we continue to live out this life in a fallen – sin-sick world. What we experience in this life, both good and bad, God uses to shape us into the image of His Son. We gladly accept the fact that Jesus suffered and died for us, but we often have a problem with accepting pain and suffering in our own lives. Like God is supposed to prevent that from happening. Job said (Job 13:15) “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.” The first half of that verse is quoted often .. the second half … not so much. There is nothing wrong with asking God for understanding … but don’t lose hope in the asking. Don’t doubt God .. even though what you are experiencing is difficult to endure.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
I just had a conversation with a friend about this verse in the light of what he and his wife are experiencing. The fact that God can use them to minister to others, and He will if we allow it. Do you believe that? Well, you may doubt it in the midst of your trouble, but it is no less true. If you seek God and put your hope in Him, you will find comfort. If you blame God and turn away in your heart, you will not. . Pastor Rick Warren said it this way, “God never wastes a hurt”. James wrote that we should consider our trouble with joy – not be happy it happened but be joyful – a fruit of the Spirit – in spite of the trouble
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4
As I was thinking up a title for this post .. a song by Simon and Garfunkel came to my mind. Bridge Over Troubled Waters. "When you're down and out. When you're on the street. When evening falls so hard I will comfort you. I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes. And pain is all, is all around. Just like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down. Just like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down" That's what God is like! And that my friend is the Truth! Jesus is our bridge over the troubled waters of this life.
“I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
No comments:
Post a Comment