Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com
When you read the gospels it is so clear that Jesus is just going to do what he is called to do: Promote himself as the messiah, teach, heal, deliver, feed and challenge the religious elite. And he is only going to do what God the father tells him to do… in a sense what I say all the time MGLG make God look Good.
And the disciples are going to tag along… they are going to doubt, argue, question, become ...
Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com
When you read the gospels it is so clear that Jesus is just going to do what he is called to do: Promote himself as the messiah, teach, heal, deliver, feed and challenge the religious elite. And he is only going to do what God the father tells him to do… in a sense what I say all the time MGLG make God look Good.
And the disciples are going to tag along… they are going to doubt, argue, question, become arrogant, act confused… because they are.
How did this relationship dynamic work exactly. God seems to expect a lot from the disciples… who continue to underwhelm in their attempts to be disciples.
At what point do the disciples see their 92nd miracle and think “you know… he might actually be the Messiah”. How many times did the religious elite come to trap Jesus… the disciples know all about these guys.. they are not to be messed with- they are smart, well connected and large and in charge… and Jesus continue to make them look like fools, even chastising them. Do you think the disciples ever said… well if he can handle pharisees, the Sadducees and the temple priests… maybe he is the Messiah.
When he wakes up from the bottom of the boat and wipes the sleep from his eyes in the middle of a tempest and almost acts annoyed… he commands the waves and the sea to calm IMMEDIATELY, and it does. Do you think the disciples finally looked at each other in the boat and whispered “this guy’s gotta be the Messiah”. NOPE, they look at each other and actually ask “who is this guy”.
**I find great comfort in the disciples actions. How many times I have seen God at work in my life and in the lives of others and seconds later I doubt God. I think it is human nature and yes we can mature out of it to some degree… but here is what I think the secret is to the disciples. THEY HAD ALL THESE QUESTIONS, ALL THESE GUESSES, ALL THESE HOPES, ALL THESE UNSPOKEN THOUGHTS… But they kept following him. A disciple follows Christ - not up until a question can’t be answered… they follow at all times. They may not understand all there is to know about Jesus… but they keep following.
In Mark 6:6 It says Jesus was amazed at the peoples lack of faith. These were the people in Jesus city that he grew up with…
The CEV version says he was appalled at their unbelief.
That actual word there - many translate it “amazed” actually has the connotation of “Wonder” - as in after them watching miracles and they doubt him… he says “really, even after all that… you still disbelieve…hmmm wow - amazing”.
But he never says that about the disciples… he chastises them for their little faith, their lack of faith… but never for their disbelief.
So what’s the distinction I am trying to make? Well disbelief does not continue to follow God. But a lack of faith can still follow God. A little bit of faith can still follow God… we may fail, we may be confused, we may feel like we are the worst disciples ever… but the promise is in not giving up. Continue to follow him… what Does Jesus say in Matthew 24:10 - many will turn away.
Be encouraged today… you don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to have all the answers, you don’t have to have massive faith… all that will come as long as you don’t quit following Jesus.
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