And, Jesus Wept

Then Jesus took his disciples up on the mountain and gathered them around Him. And He taught them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
Blessed are the meek,
Blessed are the merciful,
Blessed are you who thirst for justice,
Blessed are you who are persecuted,
Blessed are the peacemakers…

And Simon Peter said, "Do we have to write this stuff down?"
And Philip said, "Will this be on the test?"
And John said, "I'm sorry. Would you mind repeating that?"
And Andrew said, "John the Baptist's disciples don't have to learn this stuff!"
And Matthew said, "Huh?"
And Judas said, "What does this have to do with real life?"
Then, one of the Pharisees, and expert in the law said, "I don't see any of this in your syllabus. Do you have a lesson plan? Is there a summary? Where is the student guide? Will there be any follow-up assignments? How will this affect the bell curve?"
And Thomas, who had missed the sermon, came to Jesus privately and said, "Did we do anything important yesterday?" And Jesus wept.

When I read this little story, which has more bases in truth than we might imagine, I thought how easy it is to find ourselves unfocused on the primary call in our lives. We are not preparing for some great eternal test. We are not called to good works, but grace. And, that grace is rooted in the love of God toward all of us. He only asks that we love Him in return. Hear the words of Jesus this morning:

Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows. "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven. "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household! If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it. (Matthew 10:29-39, NLV).

When Jesus thinks of your response to His love today, is He weeping or rejoicing? Have you lost your love for Him somewhere in the difficulty of the journey? Has your passion for being in His presence cooled because of the challenges you face? Let go of your life and watch the love and passion come flooding back to you! Find your life today!