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Jesus Frequently Asked People for Things...

10/10/2016

10 Comments

 
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I don’t know about you, but I can get caught believing …Grace paves our way to heaven, so we don’t have to do anything.

Recently, God’s been showing me just how much false teaching has been slipping into my thinking.
In studying scripture, something I had never considered before was revealed to me…Jesus frequently asked people for things. 

It was like a light-bulb went off in my head and I started making the connection...
  • Jesus asked the woman at the well for water. (John 4:7-10)
  • Jesus asked for His cousin John to be baptized by him. (Matt. 3:13-17)
  • Jesus asked for Zacchaeus to come down, and to go to his house. (Luke 19:1-10)
  • Jesus asked the servants to fill the water pots with water, then to take  them to the head waiter. (John 2:1-11)
  • Jesus asked the disciples to feed the 5,000. (Matt 14:13-21)
  • Jesus asked the blind man to go wash in the pool of Siloam. (John 9:1-7)
  • Jesus asked for the stone to be moved and for the unwrapping of Lazarus. (John 11:1-45)
  • Jesus asks for material possessions, to give what one has to the poor. (Matt. 19:21)

And I realized, Jesus didn’t just ask for tangible things, He also asked for our personal steps of faithfulness.

I mean, Jesus is God incarnate, right? He could have done every miracle apart from us, but instead, more often, He chooses to connect the natural with the supernatural, the flawed with the forces of heaven, the faith with the Faithful One, so He could be glorified through us.
Spiritual calls in Scripture include:
  • Jesus asks us to stay awake. (Luke 22:46, Matt 26:40)
  • Jesus asks for our burning zeal to be seen by others. (Mark 4:21)
  • Jesus asks for fearlessness. (Mark 4:40)
  • Jesus asks for us to see Him as the God of abundance. (Mark 8:19-20)
  • Jesus asks for us to help our neighbor/serve. (Luke 10:36, 22:27)
  • Jesus asks for us to go after the lost. (Luke 15:4-8)
  • Jesus asks for a heart of gratitude. (Luke 17:17)
  • Jesus asks for prayer for justice. (Luke 18:7)
  • Jesus asks for an unoffendable heart. (John 6:61)
  • Jesus asks for relationship with Him. (John 21:17)

And although our salvation isn’t conditioned on what we do for God, like me, most can get deceived into thinking, we never need to sacrifice to experience the fullness of His Kingdom.
When Jesus started His ministry, His first words were Him asking of two things from others, “Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) 

The word "repent" means to turn from our sin and go in a different direction. To "believe" means, "To lean your entire weight on Him."

He is trustworthy. He is capable. He is holy. He is God. And yet, as missional woman it can be easy to get caught up in this idea that God has to do it all and we get to do nothing. And I have to admit, it can be so easy to get deceived into believing, when we seek to advance His Kingdom, “If it's difficult, something must not be from God, God must not be in it”.

Yet, scripture teaches us to turn from our own self-reliance, repent, and lean completely on Him. And I want to have a relationship where there is mutual dialogue, two people talking, not some shallow relationship where I get to make all the requests, and He gets to ask nothing.

As missional women, let’s turn from the wrong direction and lean solely on Him. Let’s go where He calls, listening when He speaks, and obeying whatever He asks... Regardless of feelings or what we might want.
​
What might God be asking from you today? Will you listen and follow wherever He calls?

About Jen

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​Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.  ​
​
If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.

Sharing this over at these awesome blogs. 

10 Comments
Mary Hill link
10/12/2016 10:32:44 am

Beautifully written and helpful. I know God asks of us, but the beauty, He gives back so much pressed down, flowing over. Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Brandi Raae link
10/12/2016 10:35:17 am

Enjoyed reading your post. :) Doing things is a response to our salvation; good works are prepared for every believer. I find it frustrating when other Christians tend to look upon walking in obedience as being legalistic. May we encourage one another toward love and good deeds!

Reply
Casey Capra link
10/12/2016 04:42:07 pm

This is really great, very encouraging, thank you:)

Reply
Lydia Borengasser link
10/12/2016 08:32:42 pm

Love this! Such a great observation I had never noticed before!

Reply
Brooke Grangard link
10/13/2016 05:14:09 am

I love how humble Jesus is, to invite us into the journey with Him. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post!

Reply
Karen link
10/13/2016 07:28:25 am

I love this! Never thought of all the times Jesus asked for people to do things! Such a good reminder that after we begin a relationship with Him we need to listen closely for what He asks US to do. To think He asks nothing of us would be a wrong assumption and we would miss fantastic opportunities to give back to Him!

Reply
Elizabeth Meyers link
10/14/2016 12:57:29 pm

What a unique perspective! I have never thought of this before but you are so right. Thanks for sharing.

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Lori Schumaker link
10/15/2016 11:43:36 pm

Hi Jen,
Joining you in prayer that we listen for and act upon wherever and whatever Jesus is calling. It really is a combination of grace and obedience. Always obedience, but when we get it wrong, we turn to Jesus and the grace He so lovingly lavishes upon us! Thanks so much for coming alongside me to share the hope of Christ at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori

Reply
MEGHAN E WEYERBACHER link
10/19/2016 12:23:04 pm

I so enjoyed reading this jam packed with truth post. I am grateful you took the time to write it. I needed the reminder too. I am in a place of learning how to balance work, rest and play - so it is really helpful to have these verses all lined up. It causes me to ponder and I will be praying too. Thank you!

Reply
Abby McDonald link
10/20/2016 09:36:51 am

As someone who has a hard time asking others for help, I so appreciate this post. I honestly had never thought about this aspect of Jesus life- how he was repeatedly asking for help from others. Such a great example. Thank you!

Reply



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  • Home
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