Meeting Us Where We Are - Day 157 Month 6-6 Week 23-3
Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)
Joshua 17:1-18:10, Psalm 123, Jeremiah 36:20-32, John 20:19-21:11
Meeting Us Where We Are
Fear can be crippling. I remember as a child being bullied by other kids, all I wanted to do was hide and never have to see anyone. If I could have, I’d have hidden behind a locked door and put all sorts of items against that locked door just in case they could get through it. I thought of nothing else but getting away from the bullies. I’d go home from school and be thankful for the safety of my own yard but as soon as I’d leave my yard, the fear would kick in.
I imagine the disciples were of the same mind after Jesus' death and so they were locked in trying to avoid the Jews as safely as possible. This is on the same day that the women had boldly gone to the grave in the morning. I’m sure the women were also in fear but through the fear, they boldly went to the grave because their love and grief was stronger than their fear. Remember it was Mary Magdalene that Jesus met in the garden and Jesus gave instruction for her to tell the disciples. Mary went to see Jesus but the disciples were cowarding in a locked room.
Jesus went to the disciples. He supernaturally but simply appeared in the room with them. I’m sure that was startling. One disciple who was not there, Thomas, was a sceptic. He of course was unwilling to believe without evidence that it truly was Jesus. So, Jesus came back 8 days later when Thomas was there so that he could see the wounds in Jesus’ hands and sides. Jesus met Thomas where he was at.
That is something we can glean about the character of God. Jesus meets people where they are at. It’s true for Mary Magdalene whom He met in the Garden just outside the tomb, true when meeting the disciples hiding in a locked room and for Thomas who needed to see proof it was really Jesus. It was true for all those we read about who were healed by Jesus and it’s true for us today. Are you wanting to see proof that He is real? Why? Are you like a pharisee who is threatened by the possibility that Jesus may change your life forever so you want to shut Him down like blocking Him on Facebook? Well, as you know, blocking someone does not make them less real - you just don’t personally see them anymore). Is it genuine curiosity mixed with fear because you have been let down by life so your trust factor is very low and scepticism is high? Or is it something much deeper in you that you can’t put your finger on? Don’t worry, Jesus knows everyone’s motives including the part of your heart that needs His healing and presence and He will meet you where you are at - 100% guaranteed.
Have a great day!
Steve
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