Matthew 27:47-49
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we stay with Jesus through his execution, read Matthew 27:47-49 remembering to stay present to your emotions and reactions.
“Some of the bystanders misunderstood…” This phrase encapsulates the experience of many people both during Jesus’ earthly life and ministry and now in the present day. To stand at a distance from Jesus and not come close is to miss the opportunity to truly understand God, life, the world, and even our own selves. From a distance Jesus’ words and ways are incomprehensible because they are so different from those of the world around us.
Stop to consider how you are seeking to be proximate to Jesus. How are you arranging your life and habits so that you are drawing closer to Jesus regularly? Spend some time thinking about this and talking openly with Jesus about your thoughts and feelings.
Read Matthew 27:47-49 again.
Faith is not a leap into utter darkness; it’s a reasonable step toward the light. Faith stirs deep inside us and is evidenced all around us if we’re looking for it.
The bystanders in this passage are waiting for Jesus to do something that will convince them that he is who he claims to be, and only one of them moves toward Jesus - but it appears the only motive of this person is perverse curiosity. These rubberneckers actually seem to entertain the idea that something supernatural might happen, but they are only interested in Jesus as a source of entertainment - not as the source of life.
Jesus was God in the flesh before the cross and Jesus is God on the cross. He is the manifestation of God’s goodness and God’s shalom whether he is performing miracles on our behalf or whether we find ourselves in the depths of suffering. Faith opens our eyes to who he is.
Stop to consider the basis for your own faith in Jesus. Are you more faith-filled when things are going well for you?
For the remainder of your time in meditation today, get still and ask Jesus to speak to you.
What might Jesus be inviting you to do or do differently today?
Will you?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
