Sometimes We Can't See

 I always find it striking when you read through the gospels how the disciples really only saw and listened to what they wanted. Even though the intimate time spent with Jesus and His clear warning that He would have to die , they preferred to see the miracles and embraced the message of the power Messiah . For Jesus was going to restore the glory of Israel and became the greatest King , even over David. Of course that was shattered when Jesus was arrested , tried and crucified.

His closest followers ran scared , lied about knowing Him and wept in shame over what had happened. I can only think some of the tears where as well for thinking , I have given up all and now I will be marked as well. For what ? As well for the shattered hope of Jesus being triumphant over the enemies of Israel .

Sometimes as I have read through the gospels and tried to place myself there , I ask would I have not done the same. For I know my heart and often see how I can easily slip into the same error these men did. I want Jesus on my terms. The one the blesses me and gives me what I want. But when He calls me to enter to Hos sufferings and take up my cross daily , not so much. I want the Jesus that gives me rest but not the one who calls who tells me the world will hate me if I follow Him because it hated Him first.

So even though we have the whole of Scripture and know the rest of the story that the disciples did not , we really are worse in some ways. The disciples of course were transformed . After the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit in His fullness , they turned the world upside down. They fully grasped and understood the whole story. A light bublb moment if you will .

We must always do the same. Its so easy and tempting to only hear and see what we want. Cheery picking Christians make very shallow ones. For they fail to see the majesty,wonder and splendor of the whole truth of following Jesus . So may we read the whole story and look to God in all His amazing love and truth . That will help us not get blinders on that makes us see only what we want to see or hear with our ears.