April 10th, 2021
Text: Luke 8:49
While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ (NRSV)
Some lessons I have to learn over and over. For me, this text represents one of them. Although I don’t believe that this text is asking me to expect my loved ones to be raised from the dead back to physical life after they have been accurately and competently pronounced dead, I do believe that the lesson is that I should not give up on things so easily.
When someone, especially myself, believes that something I had hoped for or had worked hard for looks like it has no chance of happening, this text reminds me that even things that look like they have no chance at all, can still become a reality when we bring them to Jesus.
Like yesterday, this is a story that includes, at least at some level, the feeling that when we bring Jesus our problems, we are somehow bothering Jesus. This may be why I have to learn this lesson over and over again. My first inclination is to stop “troubling the teacher” with a problem or a hope that has no chance of being overcome or realized. But Jesus is never bothered or “troubled” by our honest request for answered prayer. Jesus longs to have us reach out to him and to depend on him. I believe what “troubles” Jesus is when we give up so easily and do not continue to seek his help with our daily lives.
Are their things in your life that you have given up on that you know would bring honor and glory to God and God’s Kingdom? If so, have you stopped coming to Jesus for the answer to your prayers?
Pray with me:
God of love and God our help in ages past our hope for years to come remind me that it is you who calls me into prayer. Remind me that I am never troubling you with my problems, hopes, and dreams. Give me the strength and encouragement to continually call upon you in all things. AMEN.
While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ (NRSV)
Some lessons I have to learn over and over. For me, this text represents one of them. Although I don’t believe that this text is asking me to expect my loved ones to be raised from the dead back to physical life after they have been accurately and competently pronounced dead, I do believe that the lesson is that I should not give up on things so easily.
When someone, especially myself, believes that something I had hoped for or had worked hard for looks like it has no chance of happening, this text reminds me that even things that look like they have no chance at all, can still become a reality when we bring them to Jesus.
Like yesterday, this is a story that includes, at least at some level, the feeling that when we bring Jesus our problems, we are somehow bothering Jesus. This may be why I have to learn this lesson over and over again. My first inclination is to stop “troubling the teacher” with a problem or a hope that has no chance of being overcome or realized. But Jesus is never bothered or “troubled” by our honest request for answered prayer. Jesus longs to have us reach out to him and to depend on him. I believe what “troubles” Jesus is when we give up so easily and do not continue to seek his help with our daily lives.
Are their things in your life that you have given up on that you know would bring honor and glory to God and God’s Kingdom? If so, have you stopped coming to Jesus for the answer to your prayers?
Pray with me:
God of love and God our help in ages past our hope for years to come remind me that it is you who calls me into prayer. Remind me that I am never troubling you with my problems, hopes, and dreams. Give me the strength and encouragement to continually call upon you in all things. AMEN.
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