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Better is one day in your courtsWednesday, February 13, 2008
Luke 11:31-32
"At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here."
Would I have tried to keep my head, my calm, my cool, my treasure ... if I saw Jesus? I don't want to look like a fool. What is everybody else doing? What are my teachers teaching? And what's the right thing to do? The best question would probably be, "Who's on first?" None of the authorities to which I submit know any more than I do about the physical presence of God. Jesus carried God's presence lightly, with certainty and assurance that never faltered. Invariably he fingered the hypocrites and comforted those who were honest, regardless of their words. What is worth more than being with him? My schedule, my pride, my rigorously disciplined spiritual life ... oh, my ... none of those. The Queen of Sheba could tell me something about sacrifice, and so could Jesus' disciples: put it all down, and follow him. You'll never regret it. Your life will change. You will have taken hold of the treasure, the pearl of greatest price, never to let it go. Jesus your words, your look, your touch sooth my heart - such sweet nectar on my lips. You free me from captivity and restore my soul. |
So often Jesus was disappointed that the people around him didn't realize their lives have changed. He means it when he says, "the kingdom of heaven is near." It is priceless, it's like "treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, then in his joy went and sold ALL HE HAD and bought that field" (Matthew 13:44).