Did curiosity influence God’s ‘NOW’?

In the series of reflections on God’s ‘NOW’, I have come to the second time Jesus said: “my time has not yet come”. It was said in response to his brothers who had urged him to go to Judea for the Festival of Tabernacles (1). Jesus also told his brothers that they could go. They left for the festival whilst Jesus remained in Galilee, and the story continues:

“However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.”
John 7:10

What on earth made Jesus change his mind? What influenced God’s ‘NOW’ this time?

I think the answer is found in the next verse:
Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking,

“Where is he?”

It is likely that the Jewish leaders were looking for him with wrong motives, but other people at the festival were ‘seeking’ him because “He is a good man” (v 12).

When Jeremiah shared God’s word to the people in captivity about future and hope, he also included this promise:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you”
Jeremiah 29:13-14a

When people are whole-hearted and sincere in their search for God, I believe that they influence God’s NOW. I believe that He is there already, ‘but in secret’!

‘Manna’ for today

God is already where you are – but in secret

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(1) John 7:1-13
NB - this reflection is linked to General Brian Peddle's "Call to Mission - NOW"

The last that dies…

I have heard it many times before, however it was special to hear it the context of a meeting with prisoners serving life-sentences in Moldova – a country where ‘life-sentence’ is literally a sentence for the rest of the life.

When I spoke with the inmates, I said: “I see hope in your eyes, don’t ever lose it!”. The response from several of them was immediate: “The hope is the last that dies!”

I also learned that many of them shared the same ‘one hope’ in which I have found my salvation. We are in the same ‘one body’:

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
Eph 4:4

There is a lot of hope in the world and it can often be like undefined expectations of something better. In a spiritual Christian context there is in reality only ONE hope. This does not mean that we should not work for the best of our communities, cities and countries – on the contrary, we are encouraged to do so: “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jer 29:7). This is 100% in line with how we view our mission as a Salvation Army and the concept “Salvation for both worlds”. However, even the salvation in this world is bound to the ONE hope.

In Paul's mind, hope is something that stands forever and is synonymous with an ever-existing future. Moreover, hope is so strongly linked to Jesus that he wrote:

For in this hope we were saved.
Romans 8:24

For Paul, there is no salvation outside of Christ, so the one hope is also synonymous with Christ alone.

‘Manna’ for today:

United in Christ in ONE hope.

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What kind of vessel am I?

NORSK
In English, the word vessel can give different associations. In my early childhood, I lived close to the sea and when I watched the boats I used to wonder what kind of vessel I was. 

The reason for this pondering was one of the Sunday School Choruses we used to sing. It was about a small vessel on the big sea, and the importance of having Jesus by the rudder. It is a good image, and the same can be said about this meaning of vessel:

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Tim 2:20-21

Once again Paul is using an image he has used before:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Cor 4:7

Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
Rom 9:21

Paul is not the only writer in the Bible using this image. Jeremiah’s visit to the Potter’s house is may be even better known.

The idea that God shapes me throughout my life, so that I will become increasingly useful in His kingdom, is an awesome thought. If this earthen vessel in its frailty makes it evident that the excellence of the power is from God, and not from me, it is indeed worth more than gold.

‘Manna’ for today:

A vessel prepared for every good work

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It is about hardship and adversity

NORSK
When Magna last week shared thoughts about her role-models during a holiness-seminar in Ukraine, it was interesting to notice that a common factor was how they live their lives in situations of hardship and adversity. It is in such times that the fruit becomes visible.

The verse I quoted yesterday was about being planted at the right place to be able to bear fruit in the right time. Jeremiah elaborated on this theme, and added some thoughts on the rough times:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jer 17:7-8

When I know where my roots are, I do not need to worry about the rough times.

“The famous preacher D.L. Moody was once asked:
- Moody, do you believe that you have strength and courage to face death for Jesus’ name’s sake?
D.L. Moody, who had led many people to faith in Jesus Christ, had the habit of answering practical and simple, replied:
- No, I do not have this strength today, because today I do not need it. However, if the day should come that I am called to die for my Saviour, I know that he also will give me the strength that I need.
Then he quoted Deuteronomy 33:25 - 'As your days, so shall your strength be'.”

‘Manna’ for today:

It is about knowing that the fruit will come when I need it

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