Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Know thyself and it will follow ... Sunday, March 15, 2009 John 2:13-25 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me." Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. I don't know myself nearly as well as God knows me, but Jesus did. Jesus knew himself like God knew him. Consequently, he trusted his thoughts, he trusted his feelings. And when he acted, he was sure of himself. As Jesus pointed out, a man like that moves mountains. Nothing stands in his way. Jesus swept through the temple like an avalanche. He was certain he was right to do so. His anger gave him plenty of energy, and when he was finished he did not regret what he had done. How did Jesus become so sure of himself? Polonius' instructions to Hamlet's son Laertes ("to thine ownself be true") imply that Laertes possesses an inner sense of himself, a "knowing" he can tap into if he wishes. When did Jesus discover his well of knowing? Does that deep knowledge wait inside of me? Jesus said over and over, "I only do what my heavenly Father is doing ... I and the Father are one." He spent most of his ministry days preaching and healing, but that was grounded in hours of prayer. In that give-and-take between action and prayer, over time, Jesus learned what God knew. I don't doubt that Jesus also partied, and that he had personal interests and curiosities. I think he enjoyed the food he ate at banquets and the wine he drank (and made) at weddings. The Bible doesn't talk much about his personal life, but he had one. And I'm pretty sure he never second-guessed any of that, either. Jesus knew how his Father had made him, and he lived his life that way. Let me also, Lord, live in the rhythm of action and prayer. Show me what you want me to see, so I can do what you are doing, Lord in my life and in the lives of others. I want to please You, and bless others, and be filled with purpose and joy. "; Add      Edit    Delete