Love Him, Love Him Not
When we moved
to west Texas a few years ago, it was a big hassle and expensive. I was amazed
that, through it all, God protected our little emergency fund. I praised Him as
Provider and Sustainer and all kinds of other wonderful words.
Then the air
conditioner went out.
conditioner went out.
Boy, did my
tune ever change!
tune ever change!
I was afraid –
after all, my little fund was empty. What if something happened?
after all, my little fund was empty. What if something happened?
I got mad.
How could God let this happen? He knew it was my security blanket.
How could God let this happen? He knew it was my security blanket.
I was a bit
fickle: love Him, love Him not.
fickle: love Him, love Him not.
Then, when I
read the chapters in Matthew about Jesus’ crucifixion, I heard God whisper, “Sound
familiar?”
read the chapters in Matthew about Jesus’ crucifixion, I heard God whisper, “Sound
familiar?”
“Of course
not,” I stammered.
not,” I stammered.
Well, think
again!
again!
The crowds
that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the
name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 22:9
that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the
name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 22:9
Why were the people praising Jesus as though He were a hero?
He was their security blanket!
- He was going to throw out the terrible Roman oppressors.
- He was going to make Israel a super-power.
- He was going to give them all they needed.
Then He was arrested.
That wasn’t supposed to happen.
Their tone changed.
They were afraid and got angry – angry enough to want Him killed.
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called
Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify
him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But
they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Matthew 27:22-23
Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify
him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But
they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” Matthew 27:22-23
Why did the same people who shouted “Hosanna!” cry “Crucify him!” a few days later?
Jesus failed them. Kings don’t allow themselves to be arrested.
Kings overthrow the Romans, not submit to scourging and mockery.
Kings overthrow the Romans, not submit to scourging and mockery.
Hmm…I did recognize myself in the crowd.
As long as He does what I want, I sing his praises at the top of
my voice.
my voice.
But, when difficulty comes, I get angry
He’s not who I thought He was. He’s let me down.
Am I so different than the crowd who shouted, “Crucify him!”?
I can rationalize that my situation isn’t as extreme. I didn’t
actually wanted Him dead
actually wanted Him dead
I just wanted Him to meet my expectations. Nothing so terrible
about that, is there?
about that, is there?
Just like that crowd, I totally missed the point.
- Jesus didn’t come to pay all my bills and to fill my emergency
fund. - He came to pay the price for my sin, to cleanse me, and to fill me
with the Holy Spirit. - Jesus didn’t come to be my earthly security blanket.
- He came to give me the security of eternal life with Him.
Image from google
Praise the Lord! He gives me above all I can ask or imagine!
My pathetic expectations fade from sight and all I can do is shout,
“Hosanna!”
Photos: Love me, love me not, Security blanket
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14 Comments
Hi, I am Sherry Carter. Nice to meet you!
The Conversation
I expect Him to take care of me, provide for me, protect me. When I end up in pain for over a year I tell Him He isn't taking care of me. When I end up with no money in savings, pennies in the checking account but all the bills need paying I tell Him He isn't providing for me. When people at work attack me, try to get me fired, I tell Him He isn't protecting me. It's hard to remember He loves me, He has a specific plan for me. Thank you for this wonderful blog, Sherry! It reminds me I am supposed to love Him in all things, at all times. The words you wrote spoke to my heart.
In all things, at all times – unconditional love doesn't come easy to us humans, even toward God. But His love for us is, all the way to the cross. Love you!
Great life example, Sherry. We really do need to keep our eyes on the eternal and not the temporal.
It's easy to let the temporal block our view, isn't it Connie? Time with God helps bring things back into perspective. Thanks for dropping by.
Just checking…
Good words, Sherry. A helpful and much needed reminder to keep the proper attitude toward the Lord.
I certainly need the reminder, David! Thanks for commenting.
This is a great perspective – yes, doubt it really about love Him, love Him not. I can really relate to this – "why haven't you._____ the way I thought you should?", fill in the blank. Thanks for sharing
Fill in the blank…my list grows every day! I'm learning to focus on His real gifts rather that what I think I want. Thanks for stopping by,Mary.
Good points! Our circumstances don't determine God's heart toward us–though that's hard to remember when we're in the middle of it.
Praise God that His heart isn't affected by our circumstances, Leigh! He is faithful even when we are not. Thanks for commenting!
I love this perspective. I've never thought of my negative response towards God as similar to those who crucified Him. Ah, you are so right. I''m guilty. Thank you for the this knowledge. Now I can correct myself. Blessings!
Thank you, Mary. We all need to correct ourselves! Thanks for dropping in.
Nicely done Sherry. Faith is tough to follow and sometimes I expect too much. God hasn't put too much on me to handle. I always put too much on my plate. Thanks Sherry and GBY my friend.