Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii (eight months' wages) worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” John 6:5-7
Knowing what He was going to do anyway, Jesus asked Philip a question to "test" him. Hmmmmm. More questions than answers here. Why even ask? Didn't Jesus also know what Philip's answer would be as well? Do you think Philip passed or failed the test? If Philip's faith, as it seems to me here, was so lacking in regards to what Jesus could do in this "impossible" situation, is my lack of faith in the impossible situations I encounter also something that will not hinder Jesus from doing miracles? Was the miracle done in spite of Philip's lack of faith or in order that Philip's faith (as well as others') would become more solid? Does faith even factor into the equation of miracles? How often does Jesus "test" me? Every day? Is every choice a test?
Another thought I extracted as I read this. What if the people were reversed here and Philip was asking Jesus how to deal with this crisis? After all, wasn't Jesus the leader of this band? Often when in a tough situation, it seems to be my natural bent (any probably that of many others) to "ask" Jesus what I should do while already knowing what I am planning on doing. Gee that's got to frustrate Him. It should also throw up a huge red flag inside myself that tells me if I already know what I'm going to do before I even talk it over with Jesus, then I need to examine who is really on the throne in my life because there clearly is more I need to yield to His control.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
John 5
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgement to the Son...
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life...
..."As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." John 5:22, 24, 30
In order for there to be such a thing as judgement, there must be a standard, something to be measured against. The ultimate standard is to do God's will. "Do not eat from this tree." The first standard, law, command that, once broken, lead humaniity down the path of choosing our own will over that of God. Then came the Law. But the Law couldn't save us. It could only serve to show us in a more tangible way how we do not measure up to the standard God has for us. The Law was co-opted by the religious leaders and turned into merely a bunch of external rules to be kept unto itself to prove by their unrighteous judgement a man's "holiness" rather than as an instrument for discerning what is God's will for how we should live our lives. Was God's will really that a person not carry any furniture or that nobody be healed on a Sabbath? Did walking further than the laws perscribed, as interpreted by the religious leaders, accurately reflect how inclined towards God a man's heart was?
Jesus, fully God, fully man. His judgement is righteous because as God, He knows what the Father's will is and as man, He lived it out perfectly. Who better to be a judge, knowing both the standard of God and the temptations of sin that pull at the flesh. But He didn't just live out the perfect life and turn around and say to us, "See, it can be done so now you do it." He offered up His perfect, sinless life for mine full of disgusting, twisted, evil, currupt, sinful, rebelious, darkness. My sin on Him as he hangs on the cross and while His righteousness covers me. All any of us need to do is hear His words and believe. He's really getting a raw deal if you ask me. Look at Him on the Cross. Stare. Don't avert your eyes. Take a good, long look.....
So, so unworthy of His mercy and love. So very deserving of His judgement and condemnation. I am completely unable to fully grasp it. In my pitiful state I find it impossible to accept... nearly.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life...
..."As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." John 5:22, 24, 30
In order for there to be such a thing as judgement, there must be a standard, something to be measured against. The ultimate standard is to do God's will. "Do not eat from this tree." The first standard, law, command that, once broken, lead humaniity down the path of choosing our own will over that of God. Then came the Law. But the Law couldn't save us. It could only serve to show us in a more tangible way how we do not measure up to the standard God has for us. The Law was co-opted by the religious leaders and turned into merely a bunch of external rules to be kept unto itself to prove by their unrighteous judgement a man's "holiness" rather than as an instrument for discerning what is God's will for how we should live our lives. Was God's will really that a person not carry any furniture or that nobody be healed on a Sabbath? Did walking further than the laws perscribed, as interpreted by the religious leaders, accurately reflect how inclined towards God a man's heart was?
Jesus, fully God, fully man. His judgement is righteous because as God, He knows what the Father's will is and as man, He lived it out perfectly. Who better to be a judge, knowing both the standard of God and the temptations of sin that pull at the flesh. But He didn't just live out the perfect life and turn around and say to us, "See, it can be done so now you do it." He offered up His perfect, sinless life for mine full of disgusting, twisted, evil, currupt, sinful, rebelious, darkness. My sin on Him as he hangs on the cross and while His righteousness covers me. All any of us need to do is hear His words and believe. He's really getting a raw deal if you ask me. Look at Him on the Cross. Stare. Don't avert your eyes. Take a good, long look.....
So, so unworthy of His mercy and love. So very deserving of His judgement and condemnation. I am completely unable to fully grasp it. In my pitiful state I find it impossible to accept... nearly.
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