SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:18-23
The Israelites longed for the day when God would come to help them, as the Prophets had promised:
“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” (Isaiah 35:3-6)
When John asks Jesus if He is the One – God coming to help – Jesus refers to these prophecies.
The problem was that Jesus was not the ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6) that they were expecting.
They were stumbling at His meekness, His association with sinners, His softness with the Romans… and yet the signs were there.
They wanted Jesus to come with vengeance and divine retribution against the Romans, not against their own sin.
When we want God to help us, do we really want Him to deal with our real problems?
Jesus came to expose pride, unhealthy desires, bitterness, greed, injustice, cruelty… in everyone!
Jesus came to reveal the way of repentance and forgiveness and mercy and compassion… for everyone.
Jesus is the kind of helper/saviour we need, one who deals with our real issues and needs.
People who accept God’s help through Jesus are strengthened, many experience miraculous help… and leap and shout for joy!
But people who stumble, who hold back, who resist Jesus’ help, end up missing out on the blessing God has for them.
“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Luke 7:23)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You want to help me, but You want to deal with the real problems in me. Help me with these issues, that I may be set free to leap and shout for joy.
Observations/Application
The people expected a King, yet He was born in a manger.
The people expected that the Christ would come – but this way?
Not sure, John sent his disciples to ask Christ if He was the Christ.
Our expectations are not like His. He is God and I am man. Look around. See what is happening. Where is Christ in all of this was Jesus’ response to John and also to me.
Where do I see the Lord?
Am I looking for Him?
See what He is doing also this day for this is the day that the Lord has made.
And since I am His and He is mine – I must make sure that I am a stepping stone and not a stumbling block as I live for Jesus.
Prayer
Open my eyes Lord that I may see You this day. Open my ears Lord so that I walk following the voice saying – ‘This is the Way. Walk in it.’ Make me Your champion.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat)
The right word to say,
the best move to make
Who’s in need of a helping hand
For Your perfect ways are worthy of praise
I delight just to do Your plan
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat to beginning)
Help me to know Your will
Help me to know Your will