Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
John 8:28-30
Jesus said, “I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father taught me. The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him.” Because he spoke this way, many came to believe in him.
Our three-year-old grandson Jack said to his Oma Margaret the other day, “You can do it, I believe in you, I have confidence in you.” He remembered those words from when they were given to him; he understood their power and he offered that strength to Margaret. He did what he saw his parents doing, and brought life and joy to his grandma.
Children are marvelous mimics. Sometimes this is a little embarrassing, of course. We aren’t always the best examples for them. Or they treat our words literally somehow, when we don’t mean them that way. Gradually they become better interpreters, and eventually begin setting examples themselves.
Jesus asked the Jews to watch him, listen to him, follow him. He did this with confidence because he knew how to follow his Father. He must have learned this way to walk the world over the years.
Gabriel told Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and overshadow you.” As we were discussing this yesterday, Oma Margaret said, “Those words used to scare me. But now I think of the Holy Spirit coming upon and hovering over Jesus, telling him, ‘It’s OK, I’m with you. Do not be afraid.’”
Jesus learned those words and shared them over and over with his brothers and sisters. “Do not be afraid.” The Holy Spirit rested with him, held him, protected him, reassured him from the first moments of his life in Mary’s womb, as he grew in stature, as he became a man. He learned how to listen to his Father, how to know Him, how to speak for Him. He longs for us to follow his example.
“I know you can do it, I believe in you. I have confidence in you.” He will always believe in me even when I have trouble believing in him. In that confidence I rest, overshadowed and come upon my own self, by the Holy Spirit.
This way you have, Lord, of building me up, of making me more and more into who you know I can be. It isn’t always pleasant for me. I feel your shaping and your turning me on the wheel. There are dark times, misshapen moments. Teach me not to shrink away, but to open my eyes and arms and welcome you, move in your hands, touched by your hands, loved by your hands.
http://christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1048
