Jesus stood unwavering in His purpose between revolutionaries and religious traditionalists during His three-year ministry on earth. He disappointed revolutionaries because He came to transform their souls by grace rather than to overturn the political, social or religious orders of the day. Rather than changing their circumstances, He wanted to empower them to transcend them. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22
The religious leaders of the day were disgusted that Jesus wouldn't sanction and support their oppressive religious tradition which had become unbearable burdens, causes for pride, and substitutes for relationship living. Instead He came to transform their individual souls through forgiveness and teach them right living from a right heart.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22
Both revolutionaries and religious traditionalists followed Jesus hoping to find in Him a leader to support their causes but many from both sides deserted Him when He didn't prove to be the hero they wanted. Revolutionaries left when He wouldn't allow them to make Him king or act quickly or powerfully enough. They weren't interested in inner changes of personal salvation - "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control." Religious traditionalists wanted Jesus to conform to their strict interpretation of rituals associated with following the One True God rather than revealing Truth and their lack of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control." Jesus didn't change to please others or chase down those who turned away from Him, but He did look His disciples in the eyes and ask, 'You do not want to leave too, do you?' Jesus asked the Twelve." (John 6:67)
No wonder the way is narrow and few find it. No wonder unity is a treasure we only experience when we're centered in Him instead of pulling left or right with our own ideas of how things should be. When personal agendas rule, inner change always requires more time and energy than we're willing to invest. The irony is that in His time, Jesus did revolutionize society and the religious order. And for the traditionalists? He established beautiful, meaningful celebrations we observe 2,000 years later. Go figure. Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself,
as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
John 4:12
Father, You are greater than tradition or revolution - You are our Center - help us anchor ourselves in You, Your Way, Your Truth, Your Plan. Open our eyes to see more than our narrow views of how things should be. Rule in the hearts of Your children so we let Your fruit pour out of us in consideration of others. Remind us constantly that it's about the journey and not rushing to arrive and relationship more than the end result. Don't let us sacrifice what's important to You to achieve what's important to us.
In the Name of Jesus Who always did what You wanted the way You wanted Him to do it.
Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest and Jesus Calling
photo from photobucket.com
Love this one. As the disciple said when Jesus questioned him, "To who would we turn?" No doubt about it, He's the best deal in town!
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