My Sticker Covered Water Bottle... In the Freezer...

This chapter profoundly displays the scandalous Love of God that we have received through Christ-- a Love that tears walls and barriers down and cuts right to our hearts.

Something I noticed as I was reading this chapter were a few aspects of the interactions between Jesus and women that were repeated.

  1. The social abnormality of the interactions and the disciples' response to this
  2. The way that Jesus uses tests to prove (and improve) a relationship with Him
  3. The willingness of Jesus to heal
I still find it hard to relate to the societal norms that were present when Jesus was here doing his ministry. All I know is that in a society where humiliation was avoided at all costs, Jesus risks public humiliation over and over again in his interactions with women. In front of his disciples! Bailey talks about the disciples wanting to respond to Jesus' behavior with something like: "Do you want help getting her away from you?" Instead of responding in this way put their full trust in Jesus, knowing the truth of Isaiah 55:8 that "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." 

During drivers week this summer we spent some time reading through the Lords prayer. One of the biggust things that God revealed to me in that time was the way that God tests us to prove and improve our relationship with him. Praying "lead us not into temptation" acknowledges that we are constantly being tested with tests that can easily be twisted by our evil hearts into temptations. I saw this in all of the interactions between Jesus and women, but specifically in the interaction between Jesus and the Syro-Phoenician Woman. Jesus tests her three times, and each time she responds in confidence, humility, and faith. Jesus straight up insults her, and she responds in complete humility. The temptation to respond with an insult back or with anger must have been so real. 

Jesus is so willing to heal those he interacts with. But he makes it clear in his interactions that accepting this healing means accepting new responsibility. Bailey talks about Jesus prefacing a lot of the healing he performs with "do you want to be healed?" If I were a blind beggar for all my life and Jesus came and asked me this question, my response would be: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? OF COURSE I WANT TO BE HEALED!!!!" Bailey suggests this question from Jesus is deeper than it may originally seem (DJ? I hear you!). Accepting healing means accepting the new responsibility that comes with living a changed life for Christ. It means leaving our super cool sticker covered 25 pound water bottles that keep water cold forever behind for the living water that Jesus offers us. Sign me up! 

Just wanted to finish up with one of the quotes that Bailey references here: "A good coach honors a good runner by placing her in the toughest race."

A verse that has been on my heart this week is Isaiah 26:12.
"Lord, You establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished You have done for us."

As we run this tough race we have been placed in (what an honor!), lets continue finding peace in what has been finished on the cross and humility in the truth that all we have accomplished has been done by God. 

Hope everyone has an excellent weekend!!!


Comments

  1. Steve MannNovember 10, 2017 at 2:59 PM

    Love the 25 pounder analogy. That brings the docks to my door step right now for sure. Thanks for adding depth and context to Bailey's work with your obscure "things are not as they seem" tie!

    ReplyDelete

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