THEY JUST DON'T GET IT!

[Frank Giuliani]

They Just Don't Get It!

It was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters. So Jesus' brothers said to him, "You should leave here and go to {the festival in} Judea. Then your followers there can see the miracles you do. If a person wants the people to know him, then that person must not hide the things he does. Show yourself to the world. Let them see these things (miracles) you do." (Even Jesus' brothers did not believe in him.)

-- John 7:2-5 (ERV)

KEY THOUGHT:
Imagine how hard it must have been for Jesus. His family just didn't get it. The Lord's physical half brothers and sisters didn't understand and didn't believe until after his resurrection. Jesus didn't do miracles to "show out" for his disciples but to give them a sign to look beyond what they were seeing and understand that he had come from God. Jesus wasn't trying to be a public figure, but instead, resisted the crowd's desires to make him king. What would draw the world would be the Cross. His signs, the very miraculous things his brothers nudged him to perform, brought to some a stronger faith, to others only more questions, and to even others a determined rejection of Jesus. Jesus wouldn't be bullied, teased, or ridiculed into anything. He would follow God's timing and do things God's way.

TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and faithful Father, please give me more patience to wait for the right moment to do what you want me to do and the courage to do it with passion and faith. Give me strength to resist any negative peer influences upon me. Forgive me, loving Father, for the times I have gone with the crowd so I would be accepted rather than sticking to your plan no matter the cost. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen