Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today – we miss so much when we are fixed in our version of truth and unable to posture ourselves for discovery. So much of God is mystery and you will never engage in mystery from a defensive fixed position. Mystery is discovered through childlike openness to discovery and a teachable spirit.
Matthew 17:22-23 TPT
[22] When they all gathered together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed and turned over to his enemies. [23] They will kill him and in three days he will be resurrected.” When the disciples heard these words they were devastated.
Observation
You can only see what your eyes can see. Despite being told multiple times what the future held, the death and resurrection of Jesus, when the actual time arrived they did not have eyes to see. They were not prepared, not able, to comprehend a crucified messiah. Even when the report of his resurrection came, they did not have eyes to see. They had their minds set on messiah who overcomes the Roman rule and reestablished their rule. They did not have eyes for a saviour who forgives and loves, even he is resurrected. They wanted reign and rule restored to them. That’s what messiahs do, that’s what they had been waiting for. Their culture, their religion, their desire, all pointed in another direction than a saviour who loves his enemies. No matter how often you try and tell us we cannot see, we like our Jesus to come and overthrow our enemies and restore us to power.
How much of what God is doing do I not have eyes to see? How much of my interpretation of scripture and my mental picture of God and his ways is shaped by my religious, cultural and personal desires. If I am not postured for the discovery of mystery, if I do not live postured for curiosity, i will not be open to hear and experience the revelations God wants me to see, experience. When I want certainty, when I am fixed in my version of right, when I have decided how I like my Jesus to be, then I don’t have eyes to see what He is doing. I think we love the security of truth, even if it is only my truth, or my tribes truth, and our posture becomes defence, rather than curiosity, it’s not discovery but rather judgement of those who see differently.
Application
Am I so naive to think that I am so much smarter than the disciples who walked with Jesus and missed him entirely, but I’ve got him nailed down. I think when we have this type of arrogance we are not ready for the progressive unfolding beautiful gospel to take us into deeper awakenings of the ways and character of God. Maybe we could all evoke a teachable spirit where we all realise that when it comes to God we are like two year kids with crayons drawing pictures with our left hands, and be teachable. Imagine the beauty we will discover when we allow him to open our eyes.
Response
Thank you that you invite me to the adventure of progressive revelation. That all my life will be spent in a deeper discovery of who you are and the way you interact with me. And I know I will finally meet you and find that all I had discovered in this life is but straw when I see you face to face. Help me to be a child, may I never loose the posture of discovery and the courage for curiosity. May I never find my security in my version of right, may I only ever find my security in you. What a life lived in awe of discovery of your beauty.
Meditation
Meditate – open my eyes.
Consider:
What is your posture? Defence of your right, the way you like your Jesus, or discovery and curiosity?
Is your journey with God one of progressive discovery of His beauty?
JOURNEY DEEPER
