Give me the wisdom to understand

Never before has anyone spoken like this man.

Have you ever tried to argue with someone in uniform?   Soldiers and police officers are not easily swayed.   They have a job to do and they do it.   But the Temple guards who were sent to arrest Jesus were stopped in their tracks.   They didn’t know who this rabbi was, but his message seems to have pierced them.   They sensed that they were dealing with a higher authority—someone they should take seriously.

Unfortunately, their superiors weren’t similarly impressed.   They thought they knew what the truth was, and if they listened to Jesus, they would have to admit they were wrong.   The humble words of these streetwise soldiers weren’t enough to move them.   Even Nicodemus, who was one of their own, couldn’t convince them.   And as a result, an innocent man, the Son of God, was put to death on false charges.

Who among us hasn’t closed ourselves off to the truth at times?   Perhaps a friend told us something we needed to hear about something we had said or done, but we shut them out because of fear.   Perhaps we were so resentful or envious of someone that we couldn’t see their goodness or their need for our acceptance.   Or maybe we’ve met someone a little different and dismissed them out of hand instead of giving them a chance.   It’s hard to recognize our mistakes when we place so much confidence in ourselves.

No one likes to face up to their sins and failings.   But such self-evaluations shouldn’t discourage us; they should build us up.   When we let the light of the Holy Spirit shine into the dark places of our lives, we can come to grips with our weaknesses and repent.   That’s when the healing comes.   It won’t always be easy, mind you.   But it will always result in a deeper experience of God’s love and a stronger grasp of his presence in our hearts.

No matter what stage you are at in your walk with the Lord, he has more to give you.   He wants to speak to you in a way that no one has ever done before.   Are you ready to accept it?

word among us