Jesus’ Choices

Expectations:

1) To know him

2) To take hold of THAT

– “that” is that which he took a hold of me for

I have the “gift or curse” of musing disconnected from my cognitive ability to understand and to be deeply impacted by the overall ministry of the Holy Spirit.

John 2:1-5

The miracle of the water to wine. Jesus made a choice that day, he knew the road he was put on earth to walk. He referred to this when he answered his mother,

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:1-5

There is a series available on YouTube called, The Chosen. This first miracle of Jesus is depicted in Episode 5. There is an introduction to the video that you can fast forward through if you want, but watch it.

The jars that are to be used to make the wine, are the ceremonial washing Jars. Wine is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Also, it is a symbol of the Blood of Christ. Washing with water alludes to the law.

When Jesus chose to turn that water into wine, he chose to begin his “time” on earth.

Try reading the Gospel of John and make note of the choices Jesus made. The reason ‘why’ he did what he did. What are those reasons, if there is more than one? Why did Jesus behave the way he did?

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-10

So this part of the verse is what I must grapple with: “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered”

Really? Jesus learned obedience?!?

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 1 Peter 4:1.

I’ve enjoyed talking with an honest thinker today.

My response is to cease sounding like I’ve got it all figured out, and admit my own spiritual and moral poverty instead. But these scriptures are clues the message God has put on my heart. These scriptures I present to you, to ponder, and pray about.

¹¹ And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:11

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. John 2:23-25

What does it mean, “ But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them” ?

Back to John’s Gospel, 

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5:44

I struggled for quite a while with this notion that it’s OK to seek the Glory that comes from God. What is pleasing to God?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

1) believes that he exists

2) that he is a rewarder

of them that earnestly (diligently) seek him

The following scripture tells me what to do with worries about my needs on earth. The whole chapter is summed up in the final two verses.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34

This quote came to mind:

Abraham Maslow “Towards a Psychology of Being”

I go much further, and am convinced that knowledge and action are frequently synonymous, even identical in the Socratic fashion. Where we know fully and completely, suitable action follows automatically and reflexly. Choices are then made without conflict and with full spontaneity.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:12 NIV