Jesus was amazed!
He was amazed at
disciple Nathanael’s surprise at what Jesus knew, “‘How do you know me?’
Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig
tree before Philip called you.’” . . . “Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told
you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.’”
(John 1:48-50)
He was amazed at
the faith of the Gentile centurion, who reminded Jesus that all it took was a
word to get obedience from soldiers, therefore he trusted Him to declare his
servant well. “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the
crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith
even in Israel.’” (Luke 7:9)
He was amazed at the
response of a Greek woman to comparing her to a scavenging dog, “ . . . a woman
whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his
feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to
drive the demon out of her daughter. ‘First let the children eat all they want,’
he told her, ‘for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to
their dogs.’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘but even the dogs under the table eat
the children's crumbs.’ Then he told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the
demon has left your daughter.’” (Mark 7:25-29)
He was amazed to
find the disciples sleeping when he was personally in need, and when he was
about to experience the most critical time of his career – his crucifixion –
demonstrating God’s Redemptive plan of History! (Luke 22:46)
All of these things point to the fact that it took a while
for Jesus in his perfect humanity to catch on to His father’s heart in his
calling, and perfectly human state – but when he did – He died for it, which
was God’s will for you and I! He learned obedience by the things He suffered.
(Hebrews 5:8)
Is this not any true parent’s love for a child?
“But Zion said, ‘The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has
forgotten me.’ ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no
compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget
you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls (your normal
securities) are ever before me.’” (Isaiah 49:14-16)
The heart of Jesus relates to the best parent there has ever
been! A grandparent loves to watch the development of a grandchild,
particularly if there are interests that are somewhat similar. Therefore, quite
often they are the most qualified to help in situations that are bigger than
the parents have been given the grace to handle!
For example, I knew my grandparents prayed, but I was amazed
when my paternal grandfather prayed for us while missionaries in South Africa,
and sent a letter that he had done so. “I have prayed clear through for you”.
It was very important to me, for it came at a very difficult time in our
experience as missionaries.
This is written all over the pages of scripture!
The disciples had observed Christ at prayer – and were
amazed at the fruit of the disciplines of his prayer life. Lepers healed; Blind
people seeing; Difficult encounters resolved. On it goes.
Since Jesus had understood their needs at the Father’s hand,
they soon found their own hearts desperately longing, crying out to know the
secret/s of prayer demonstrated in Jesus. Eventually they put a handle on it,
“Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)
Jesus then spoke the words most of us have memorized,
“Lord’s Prayer”, thus teaching them the essence of prayer.
Thus an outline is all we need, to go along with the vision
of Christ we have experienced. He knows us much more than we know! This is what
the apostle Paul wanted to happen most in his life. (Philippians 3:10)
- Prayer is directed to the Father of All – who is in Heaven;
- Prayer is directed to call attention to God’s Name, Reputation or Fame;
- Prayer is directed to the need for His Kingdom to increase;
- Prayer is directed to wanting His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven;
- Prayer is directed to asking Him for basic needs such as daily provision;
- Prayer, to the outworking of our salvation, and is now directed to asking Him to do what we need to be doing anyway – with what is obvious around us; When we forgive, we are then qualified to worthily receive His forgiveness in situations, as we “flesh out” His will on earth; (1 Corinthians 8:3) with (Genesis 6:8) God “chose Noah”! Amazing, indeed! He saw that he did more than “put up” with the evil around him prior to the flood, he was willing to learn at the hand of God, and saved his family and animals from the flood!
- Prayer, is directed to the danger of this journey to the heart of God, which will allow testing for authenticity of the intimate experience with God;
- Prayer, is directed to the most important of all deliverances – from the evil one;
- Prayer, is experiencing His Kingdom, Power, and Glory in our lives.
