Easier read than done

“What should I do to go to Heave?” That was the question a religious guru asked Jesus. (Luke 10:25) This was his brain-buster, a test that he was sure Jesus would fail. For this young lawyer life was all about religious works and he didn’t see the same attention to religious detail in Jesus or His disciples. No matter how Jesus would respond, He was on thin ice with this legalistic know-it-all. How would you answer him? Would you use your words to challenge his self important approach to scripture? Would you let things get heated and become a battle of individual wills? Not Jesus. He did what so many of us find difficult to do when challenged. He simply asked a return question. A simple question. A question this self righteous teacher thought he would hit out of the park. “How do you read it?” When you look at s rupture, what does it say? It’s amazing how quickly we have the right answers. This man had a speedy response. Perhaps he did know the answer to his own question. But knowing is only half the battle. I’v come to understand that when it comes to living out God’s will in my life, it’s easier read than done. So Jesus replied to the lawyer, “do what you read, and you will go to heaven”. Is it that simple? Read God’s word and do what you read? This seems to be Jesus’ approach. The real problem is what the word brings up from our old nature. Luke 10:29 says this man (having received divine instruction) wished to justify himself. Quite often, so do I. It’s in this context that Jesus tells the most. Famous story of “neighborly” love. It’s easy to read God’s word. It’s a completely different story when it comes to living God’s word. Jesus challenges the self-righteousness in all of us by saying these three things…
:26 – have you read what God says?
:28 – are you doing what God says?
:37 – go out and love others like God loves you!
Simple? Maybe when you read it. But living it will shake you to your core, challenge every old idea, and transform you into the person God wills.

How bad do you want it?

 

Read John 5:1-9

I want to lose a few pounds. I want to save a few dollars. I want to change a habit. I want to fix a relationship.

How bad do you want it?

Does that sound rude or insensitive? I don’t mean to be. I just know that many times when I say “I want to ….”, I really mean, “I wish it would happen instantly, painlessly, easily.” This is what Jesus saw in a man who lying helpless by a pool. He saw a man who was sick, but who had become comfortable being sick. A man, who stopped hoping and dreaming, and most importantly, a man who stopped believing. So Jesus asked this helpless man, “Don’t you want to get better?” (John 5:6) What kind of question is that? As it turns out, it’s a question we all must answer.

The reason so many of us struggle with the same spiritual ailments with no relief is that we don’t really want it bad enough. We get comfortable with our sin, we get scared to try because we don’t want to fail; and many other empty excuses. So Jesus asks you and me, “don’t you want to get better?” He wants to know if we’re ready to believe. To believe that He is the answer to what ails us, that He has a plan for our broken lives, and purpose to replace our wandering. If you’re up for the challenge of a lifetime, you need to answer Jesus’ question.

That’s why I’m hunting for heaven. I’m making heaven my goal and Jesus my aim every day. I’m going to pursue Jesus through scripture and practice what He’s taught me. I’m never going to find heaven because I’m good enough, or smart enough. I’m going to find heaven because I believe Jesus is the Son of God. He died to take away my sin. I have clothed myself with Him in baptism. I am walking with Him every day. I’m answering His question with a resounding, “Yes lord, I want to be well, help me in my weakness.”

The greatest thing about seeking Jesus is that He wants to be found. Will you make heaven your pursuit, and healing your way of life? Jesus asks, “How bad do you really want it?”