Friday, July 18, 2008
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Jesus School
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered, and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him" (Hebrews 5:7-9).
Thank God for the example of Jesus. He is the one that we are to follow. Peter says, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21). To be a disciple means to follow him.
The first thing that we learn in Jesus school is to pray. Really pray with passion. Reading the Hebrews passage, I doubt that Jesus ever got bored or fell asleep praying. Prayer here is not the whinings of a spoiled child trying to get what they want from an emotionally detached or distant father. This kind of prayer is about developing and nourishing a relationship with the very passionate God that the Bible reveals. Jesus is the exact representation of the Father and he prays "with loud cries and tears." I know that just putting on an emotional show does nothing at all, but do my prayers even approach this. Am I praying like this that the heart of God be created in me? God, create in me this passion, for You and for Your way in my world.
"When we pray, things remain the same but we begin to be different. The same thing occurs when we fall in love. The circumstances and conditions are the same — but we have a sovereign preference in our heart for another person that transfigures everything." — Oswald Chambers
When we learn to pray the Jesus way, we will be changed and everything will look different. We will experience "the peace of God which transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). And, we will not only get to know Jesus better but fall deeper in love with His Father too.
Okay, that was Prayer 501, is the next lesson any easier? I don't think so. "He was heard because of his reverent submission." Reverent submission. I don't know about you, but I think that school just got harder. I do not want to take this class. I do not want to submit. Do I have to? Isn't there some other elective I can take instead? "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34). Well, I don't want God and me on opposite sides — I know who will win that battle! Lesson two in Jesus school is "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand" (1 Peter 5:6). Apparently, even Jesus had to do this. And, without this, my prayer class would have been a waste of time for I cannot be heard without it. Reverent submission is simply recognizing God for who he is and then — the submission part — placing myself underneath him. Whatever you want, Lord!
I'm tired. This has been a tough day. Passionate Prayer 501. Reverent Submission 507. One more class?! Yes, it's time for Obedience 508! Jesus was the Son of God and yet, "he learned obedience." If the Son of God needed to learn it, what do you think are the chances that you or I as a son or daughter of God, can skip this one? Not a chance! The only thing that helps a little is that we have passed the prerequisites.
None of us will naturally gravitate to the school of Jesus. Our flesh rebels against such discipline (I didn't always like regular school and that was easy compared to this!). But the end result in your life and mine is nothing short of amazing! I promise. And, I hear that the graduation ceremony is out of this world!
Let's start today with lesson one. Begin today. To pray. Really pray! From a heart of love to an awesome God. And then, as we get better at that, we can go on to the other lessons. I have started to pray this way and I am changing and things are even beginning to change around me. And with each new day, I find myself wanting more of Him. Wow, who knew that school could be so good!
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