Archive for February 2015

Words that Remain

In the previous post, we looked at the tragedy of the Pharisees. They rejected the teachings of Jesus; they opposed his preaching – because there was no room in their lives for his words. There was no room for his words to transform their lives.

So it is not by happenstance that on the night before Jesus was crucified, as he gathered his disciples together, he once again stressed the importance embracing his words – taking them to heart.

If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 (AMP) Your abundant growth and your faithfulness as My followers will bring glory to the Father. (John 15:8 Voice)

Jesus didn’t want his disciples to just make room in their hearts for his words of instruction and wisdom, he wanted those words to remain and live in them. His words of teaching and preaching were not to fade or lie dormant in their hearts. He wanted his words to produce abundant spiritual growth and increased faithfulness. He wanted his words to bear the fruit of empowered, transformed lives that would bring glory to the Lord.

And what was true for these First Century disciples remains true for we who are his 21^st Century disciples. When we hear our pastor preach a word that stirs our heart or as we read the Bible and a scripture jumps off the page with meaning, let us with great intention cultivate that word in our hearts. Let us allow that word to remain and live in our hearts transforming our lives – producing abundant spiritual growth and increased faithfulness. It is not enough to just “make room.” His words must remain and continually live in our hearts, producing changed lives that bring glory to God the Father.

No Room

Although the Christmas season is past and the business of the New Year is in full swing, I find myself still pondering the amazing journey of the Wise Men. Of late I have wondered:

How many others saw that bright star in the heavens yet missed its importance?

How many enjoyed the splendor of the stars in the night sky but weren’t compelled by that one brilliant star to embark on a journey to worship a special king?

Perhaps they saw the star with their eyes, but their hearts and minds were full of other concerns – full of their own agendas, their own priorities, and they missed the king.

Thirty years later, there were men who heard this king teach, saw him perform miracles and declare words of wisdom and salvation. Yet, they never recognized him as king. They were never compelled to offer unto him precious gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense. These men were Pharisees, the leading religious leaders of the day. No matter how often they heard Jesus teach or how many miracles they saw him perform, they did not believe he was God’s promised king. They had memorized the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah, proclaiming the details of this coming eternal king. But when he entered their lives, they rejected him.

How could they not believe? How could they not see what others did see? How could they not understand what so many others understood?

Jesus gives us the answer. In response to the Pharisees’ rejection, Jesus said,

“ . . . you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. (John 8:37)

They had no room.

They had no room in their hearts to receive the words that revealed who Jesus truly was. Their hearts were full of their own agendas, full of their own desire to keep the status quo, full of their intent to hold onto their religious power.

That was the tragedy of the Pharisees. They had no room in their hearts to receive the One who would have transformed their lives.

Oh Lord, let there always be abundant room in my heart for your word and for your presence. May I never become so busy or my life so cluttered with my own agenda and priorities, that there is no room for You to move fully and freely in my life. Amen.