Jesus Prayed
 

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed. - John 17:1

    Jesus knew what was ahead of him.  He was well aware of the path God the Father had prescribed.  It included betrayal, capture, mockery, shame, crucifixion and death.  He also knew he would be hounded by his enemy, the devil, who sought his failure.  Because he knew what was ahead of him, Jesus prayed.

    It is important to understand the nature of that prayer.  He prayed so that his Father’s name would be glorified (John 17:1).  He prayed that eternal life might be secured for all people (John 17:2).  He prayed for faithfulness to complete his work (John 17:4).

    Jesus’ prayer as he approached his death is a good pattern for me to follow.  As I examine my prayer-life, it’s clear I often approach prayer as a “fire extinguisher.”  I know I can pray.  I know prayer will help.  Unfortunately, I allow my prayers to “hang on the wall” until I have a real emergency.  Too often I try to approach my life on my own terms and with my own abilities.  Then, when I see the situation go from bad to worse, or beyond my control, I frantically look to the Lord.  It is safe to say I tend to consider prayer as a “last resort.”

    Jesus teaches me a different pattern, a better pattern.  Instead of waiting for an emergency, my use of prayer is part of my daily routine.  Rising in the morning, undertaking the activities of the day, appreciating blessings, asking for faithfulness, and rejoicing in the Lord’s underserved love throughout the day – these are all opportunities to come to the Lord in prayer.

    It all starts with believing the Lord works through prayer.  Here is where I need to recognize the greater work Jesus accomplished.  With his faithfulness to his Father’s will, he restores my faithfulness.  With his death on the cross, he removes every obstacle that prevents my prayers from reaching heaven.  With his victory over the devil, he enables me to approach God the Father as a child approaches a loving parent.  Jesus alone makes it possible for me to come with boldness and confidence.  Jesus alone provides me the assurance I will be heard.  Jesus alone gives me the peace to know every answer will be for my blessing.

    Jesus prayed, because he trusted in his Father’s promise to hear and answer him.  Through Jesus, I too can pray, and I can trust my Father’s promise to hear and answer me.

Prayer:
Dearest Jesus, as you approached your Father confidently in prayer, so teach me to pray.  Amen!

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. -  Matthew 5:4

    Jesus is speaking of spiritual matters.  Those who mourn, then, are those who sorrow over the separation between themselves and God because of sin.  Their hearts are often burdened with grief over sin, and they are familiar with the misery that sin brings into their lives.  Martin Luther said:

    Sorrow is no rare growth among the believers, even if it is not outwardly visible.  When they contemplate the world, they see and experience so much that is evil in their daily life, so much wantonness, so much contempt for God and His Word, and so much misery and misfortune wrought by the devil in spiritual as well as in earthly affairs that here is little room for happy thoughts, and their spiritual joy is weak.  But they who thus repent and mourn for that which is of God “shall be comforted.”

    Believers will be comforted when they are ushered into heaven where God "will wipe every tear from their eyes," where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain." (Revelation 21:4)  But they don't have to wait for eternity to experience the comfort which Jesus promises.  They are comforted when their sorrow over sin is dispelled by the precious message of forgiveness.  Disciples of Jesus are comforted when they look to the cross of Calvary and see the Savior pay the complete price of sin.  Jesus says to each of his disciples, "Take heart, your sins are forgiven!" (Matthew 9:2)  

Prayer:
Savior, draw me to you that I may have the true comfort of your precious forgiveness and live in the sure hope of eternal happiness in heaven.  Amen.

Don’t Be Surprised
 

“Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ.” - 1 Peter 4:12

    Walk through any bookstore, and you’ll probably spot one: a book with a smiling religious author on the cover; a book which promises that if you only follow the author’s “biblical principles,” your life will be happy. 

    Without a doubt there is a strong element of truth in such a claim. After all, sinful rebellion against God’s good will is one of the surest ways to drag chaos and misery into your life. 

    Nevertheless, the premise of many self-help religious books is misleading. The premise is that if you’re the “right kind of Christian,” your troubles will go away and you’ll be like the smiling, successful author on the cover of the book. 

    The Apostle Peter knew better. To Christians who were suffering all kinds of trials, Peter does not say, “You must be doing something wrong to be suffering so much.” Rather, Peter says, “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” Peter understood that every Christian in this world bears a cross – some painful consequence of living as a child of light in this world of spiritual darkness. For some it might mean persecution at school or work. For others it might mean staying faithful in a difficult marriage when others are telling them to quit. For others it might mean temptations from the devil when health is bad or finances are tight. Whatever the trial, however, Peter says, “Do not be surprised.” 

    But then, a twist. Peter does not conclude by saying, “Too bad about your trouble. Deal with it.” Rather, he says, “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ.” Never forget: You are a fully forgiven child of God through faith in Jesus. As you endure your temporary crosses in this world, you are identifying yourself with your Savior from sin. For the Christian, there is no greater privilege. 

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for washing my sins away. As I endure my temporary crosses in this world, open my eyes to see it for the privilege that it is. Amen.

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. - Matthew 5:5

    Meekness is not a trait which is going to get a person very far in life.  In a dog-eat-dog world success is attained by a bold, assertive spirit which is not afraid to climb over others to get ahead.  How different Jesus wants his disciples to be!  Responding in thankfulness to God for their salvation, they are to be gentle, patient, humble, quietly resigning their all to God's will.  They don't seek revenge when others offend.  Instead they love others like Jesus meekly did: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats” (1 Peter 2:23).

    Jesus says that the meek are blessed.  God knows their hearts and gives them a life on earth of blessing after blessing.  I have a Christian friend who often remarks, “I’m so blessed!”  He looks at his family, his job, his possessions, his life, and thanks God for the many blessings that he has.  I can learn from people like my friend to recognize how my loving God fulfills his promise to bless me in all matters of life.  Even when it doesn’t seem so, every minute God is with me and caring for me. 

    “The meek,” Jesus says, “will inherit the earth.”  Not only do Jesus’ followers have a life of blessing on earth, they also have the blessing of eternal life on a new earth.  The Bible teaches: “In keeping with God’s promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:13).  On the Last Day God’s creation, including our planet earth, will be destroyed.   But God promises that he will make a new creation for his believers, and it will be perfect and last forever. 

    The meek – all of God’s believers – will be blessed in the next world, as they are blessed in this one, too.  Our merciful God has given us the most important gift of all through Jesus: he has taken away the guilt of our sins.  By faith in Jesus we are humbly grateful to have a life of blessing now and the boldly hopeful for even greater blessings to come.

Prayer:
Jesus, you humbly came into this world to bless me with God’s love for this life and for eternity.  Impress on my heart the benefit of meekly following you and living in thankfulness for all your blessings.  Amen.  

Childlike Faith

 

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." - Mark 10:14

    Little kids have no fear.  Watch them jump off tables into their parents' arms.  Watch them jump into the deep end of the pool.  Even better, watch them sleep.  They have no worries, cares or concerns.  Their parents take care of all of the details and the kids let them do it.

    The kingdom of God belongs to those who trust God like a child trusts a loving parent.  We don't need to have it all figured out; that’s God's job.  He accomplished our salvation for us. He has opened the way to heaven; he has given us the gift of eternal life through Jesus. 

    We don't need to worry about "what ifs" and bad things that could happen.  He assures us that he will not let us down.  He promises us that he is always with us and nothing can separate us from him and his loving blessings, not now, not forever.

    Some people call this type of faith childish and foolish.  Christ calls it childlike and essential.  

Prayer:
Jesus, give me a childlike faith that I may confidently trust in you as my Savior and always be safe in the loving and strong arms of my God.  Amen.

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