July 7
Mark 9:9-13
When I taught 5th graders they were really good at asking questions that had nothing to do with what they were supposed to be thinking about. I would be talking about long division, and they would be asking what was being served for lunch. As a teacher, you should never ask, “Do you have any questions?” unless you follow it up with, “related to this subject matter!” Jesus was an excellent teacher. When the disciples asked Him a question, He responded by answering them, but then making sure they turned their attention back to the more important issue. Jesus wants us to learn about Him. It’s okay to have questions! But sometimes we get caught up in what we think we should be learning and forget to ask God to show us what He wants us to learn. Everyday when I sit down to write this study, I pray and ask God to show me what He wants me to get from it. I know a lot of you are doing that too (and if you’re not, you should be!). It’s so amazing to read everyone’s responses and see the different ways that God can use one scripture to show us so many different things. The thing that I got out of today’s verses is that it is okay to have questions, but sometimes our questions are not what we should be focusing on. We need to rely on God to show us what He wants us to learn.
Principle: When I ask Jesus honest question, He will patiently direct me to more important issues.
Application:
1. Do I come to Jesus with my concerns and questions about the Bible?
2. How do I listen for His answers?
3. In what areas has He shown me to step out today?
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Telling eighth graders to ask questions that relate to the subject at hand is a funny gamble (I'm sure you found the same to be true with at least a few fifth graders, Sarah, and I just love your analogy so I'm using it too.). In their minds, some of the wildest things relate to the topic at hand, and most of the time, they aren't trying to be funny or obnoxious with their wild questions. I guess in some ways they are like me with God. He says one thing, but I invent fifty thousand "what-if's" and "whys" instead of seeking the heart of the matter. I'm not trying to be funny or obnoxious, but I am missing the point. Many times, those what-if's are fears. I let my mind just roam where it pleases, and I need to stop that. I need to take captive my thoughts. I may ask Him questions, but I don't need to let my mind wander to fear. So today (Question Three), I think I want to graduate from the eighth grade and try taking my thoughts captive.
ReplyDeleteI love it when I can actually SEE God at work. Yesterday I had the opportunity to share God’s word with a loved one, but we kept getting hung up on semantics. I’m sure it was not God’s the way of digging into His word, and I left feeling that I had let God down. Sarah, God couldn’t have used you more to help me than by giving you that statement in our lesson today. . “Jesus wants us to learn about Him. It’s okay to have questions! But sometimes we get caught up in what we think we should be learning and forget to ask God to show us what He wants us to learn.” Thank you SO much for sharing that with us and I pray that I will be able to have listen for His answers and hear His direction when I am in that same situation probably tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and directions were in a totally different way. Vs. 12 and 13 spoke to me. When we are sent leaders to prepare the way, we often miss treat and abuse them. How am I treating the people God has sent my way to lead and prepare me for His service?
ReplyDeleteOn another note, how am I treating my principal and assistant principal at school. My pastor the and elders of the church? I pray that I treat the leaders with respect and love God wants me to.
This passage is about Jesus overturning the disciples expectations of the Messiah. First he told them not to share what they had seen because this would only reinforce the idea that the Messiah would be a powerful political/military leader. Second, although they didn't understand the concept of a dying/rising Messiah, they were working on it. And third, a teaching of the rabbis that Elijah would come three days before the Messiah became a point of discussion. Jesus revealed that John the Baptist had fulfilled this expectation/prophecy (see Mal. 4:5-6) Now here is the application for me: Do I have wrong expectations of my Lord, or do I correctly understand His mission and join in His purposes, rather than wishing He would fulfill mine?
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