Tainted by our own feelings of self-worth; often, we listen without truly hearing the truth. We see this played out every day in nearly every situation we face. It is the screaming rhetoric surrounding the news talk shows; because, everyone is so busy talking they cannot hear or seek truth. Furthermore, this is the problem blocking our human hearts from seeking God as He truly is. We want to change the story to fit our own narrative. Because we want to put our Creator, Almighty Sovereign God into a box of our own making, we fail to hear or spread the beautiful truth of the gospel story of Grace.
Even, those who follow Jesus want to change the story. That was true in the Old Testament. It was true when Jesus walked upon the earth. And it remains true today. So, how do we get past our own self exalting, humanistic ideas to find and live at peace with the truth? To help answer that question, let us turn to Matthew 26.
MATTHEW 26:1-2
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Jesus told His Disciples point blank that He was going to be betrayed and crucified as the Ultimate Passover Lamb; yet, they did not really hear Him. He had just finished telling them about the Kingdom that would come one day when He returned to claim His People. Because of the sacrifice, He is about to make to redeem sinners from their just reward (which is eternal separation from God); He had described for them with parables His return one day to call all those redeemed to His side where they would reign forever in Glory with Him. They wanted to hear the reign forever in righteousness with Him; yet, they did not listen when He explained to them how.
But, don’t be too harsh on the disciples; after all, don’t we do the same? We want the protection, the love, the provisions that God provides us; but, we shun the idea of pain, trials and condemnation which are a true part of this journey on earth. We cannot be forgiven; unless we understand our guilt. Nor can we see His Hands of blessings in our trials; unless we understand that Knowing Him is the greatest treasure of joy, hope and love that our hearts can find.
TWO LISTEN, HEAR THE TRUTH AND RESPOND DIFFERENTLY
Our story in Matthew 26 goes further. Of all the disciples who heard Jesus that day, two were listening; yet, they responded directly opposite of each other. One was the woman with the Alabaster Box. She emptied out her Alabaster Box of ointment upon Jesus. This was her most precious treasure meant to be kept for her own burial one day. Quickly, the other disciples saw this as a waste; because, they could have sold the ointment for cash. They saw it as a waste; because they did not really listen to what Jesus had just told them. This woman had truly listened and understood that He would be the atoning Sacrificial Lamb spoken of in Isaiah; therefore, she wanted to give Him her most precious item. Jesus rebuked their grumbling and replied,
For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Matthew 26:12
The other one who was listening was Judas Iscariot. When He heard that Jesus was going to be crucified; Judas left to make a deal to betray Jesus. Judas was the treasurer and really wanted to be a part of the Kingdom of God; but, he wanted the riches now! Not some “pie in the sky” someday! He was not wanting to suffer or face trials; even if that was the only way to salvation. He was angry that God should not be doing this whole thing the way Judas desired! What a waste, Judas thought; because, he wanted the riches here and now! Have you met a few people like that? They want God; but, they want Him to do things their way instead of listening to the truth.
THE NEED TO TRULY LISTEN WITH HEARTS THAT HEAR
Regarding the gospel message, our hearts need to hear the truth. There cannot be righteousness, love nor grace; if God was not perfectly just. Still, in the center of His Justice; He laid the penalty of our sin on His Son so that all who accepted this gift of righteousness could be adorned in the robes of righteousness freely given by Jesus. Because of this truth, all who reject the Salvation purchased by Jesus; are condemned. There can be no other way! Just because we think in our pride that we could determine a better plan than our Creator; doesn’t make it true. When we change the truth to “well God is too loving to ever condemn anything or anyone” or “those whom He loves will always have health, wealth and prosperity on earth”; we become like Judas instead of the woman.
Then, there were all the others who didn’t even hear what Jesus said. I daresay most of us fall into that category of those who just wander along hearing some and not hearing at times. Some of those went with the crowd to scream Crucify Him; while, others would become the early church.
One of those was Peter. Remember Peter was in this crowd. He, truly loved Jesus; but, could not understand the plan being laid out. He rebelled against the plan. He struggled to follow, confused and mistaken in his understanding at first. Yet, look at the Gracious way that Jesus guided him to become one of the greatest preachers of the gospel. Because Peter loved Jesus, God guided every step; even though, Peter had often gotten it wrong. Thank God for Grace that takes our feeble hand and guides all the way.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
So, which are you? Are you the woman who would pour out your most precious treasure to follow Jesus where ever that may take you? Or, are you Judas who would sell it all for 30 pieces of silver here and now? Could it be that you are Peter who stumbles and staggers your way toward Jesus; but, do desire to find your way? By the way, He will honor that as we saw in the case of Peter. Many are those who would turn and cry, “Crucify Him” because He didn’t do it their way. I pray you are not among that crowd.
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]We cannot be forgiven; unless we understand our guilt.[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]There can’t be righteousness love nor grace if God was not perfectly just[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Just because we think that we could determine a better plan than our Creator; doesn’t make it true” username=”effiedarlene”].
[bctt tweet=”Tainted by our own feelings of self-worth; often, we listen without hearing the truth” username=”effiedarlene”]
This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist whom I love and admire. Please check out his work at http://roninron.com
Featured Photo at top of post by permission: https://unsplash.com/@wazza. Inscription I added.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.