Have you been waiting? Have you lifted a prayers to God for something that burdens you heart so much that it hurts? And you're still waiting? Me too! Several prayers, actually. Not so much for material things which I want to hold or have. There are prayers for others... to be healed, to be found, to be helped, to turn around, to receive strength, to hold fast, to have faith. There are prayers for myself... for wisdom, for insight, for persistence, for strength, for energy, for influence, for opportunity. But do we always know that what we ask is truly best for them... for ourselves? Because God hears all and answers all. He is a faithful God, that is certain. But does He want for us, what we want for us? And when we wait long it's easy to lose faith and wonder, Am I even on the right track, Lord? So I must at least consider what He spoke to His disciples. For they were at His side, listening, learning, living... breathing the same air. And when I read of people talking to Jesus, I realize that it's the same as us lifting our prayers to Him. So I took a look at one occasion when two of these men boldly came to Him, asking the desire of their heart. This is my contemplation today. These two James and John asked... “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and t he other on Your left, in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Mark 10:35-38 NKJV Truly bold... “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” Now these men had some confidence! Even to say they wanted Him to do WHATEVER they asked. Wow! Then I realize, that Jesus already knew their thoughts. The Gospels tell us that this was not unusual for Him to know. And, of course, He knows mine. So if I'm holding back something afraid to ask it... He knows it anyway. But they asked. Which means I can as well. For look at His response... “What do you want Me to do for you?” He doesn't sound angry or put out. He wants them to be honest in their request of Him. It does not guarantee fulfillment, but it does open the door to boldly ask. So then we must realize that these men, along with many followers of Jesus at that time, believed that the prophecy for the Messiah was to be an earthly Redeemer who would take authority within the government and rule. For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6 So they have got big plans for themselves as well. Maybe if they stick close and are the first to ask, He will let them rise to power with Him and give them authoritative jobs? I mean it's not that far fetched when you haven't read the end of the Gospel that's not yet written in their time. Why not ask. But Jesus knows... He always does. He realizes what they want but it's not something that is best, nor is it possible to be realized. And even though He told them just a few verses... maybe days prior, the reality of what was to happen... the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again. Mark 10:33-34 They did not... could not understand. So they asked, hoping that the tragedy of which He spoke was just like a worry in His mind that would never truly happen. I mean, this was Jesus. Why, how, who... Their minds simply could not process that thought. And Jesus knew that. So He answered honestly... You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” But they were certain, because they had set their sights and this was what they wanted. They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” Mark 10:39-40 The cup He spoke of was His suffering. The baptism, that of afflictions which overwhelm and submerge. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Luke 12:50 So this a prayer that He would not answer to their liking. Was it because He was a stingy God, an angry one who found nothing but fault in them? Was it because they had not yet earned their way to the throne of great things? Clearly not. This was His reality, that no one on earth could have understood. So He had to deny their request. But in addition, He felt compelled to tell them, that one day, they too would suffer the same. And that only His Father could give honor and authority to those He has prepared. And I'm believing that even the suffering is part of that preparation. Would they be able? Would we? The word able here refers to being empowered by God; given miraculous inner strength. So I look back at my prayers. Those which remain unanswered. For some will be yes. Some will be no. And some will be... wait. For maybe I need to consider there is preparation He is doing. And that clearly will require my cooperation, my faith in Him to empower and give me miraculous strength. Word of God train me today... To not desire my way, over His will. To understand that God has my best always on His mind, even when I can't see it.
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January 2019
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