RESISTANCE TO CHANGE

Once there was a girl who prayed to Jesus for a doll that would replace her old and tattered one. Every day, in front of the crucifix in their chapel, she would beg Jesus in her prayers for the new toy, showing the sorry condition of her old toy. One day, Jesus appeared to her to answer her prayers. But before she gets her new doll, she had to give up the old, while Jesus held at His back almost a life-size doll made of porcelain. At that moment, when she was about to receive the one she was praying for, she held her old doll tightly. She could not let go of it. More than the memories she had with it, she could not let go of her old doll because of the fear that the new doll might not be better than the one she has. She held the old one firmly, while Jesus kept asking her to let go of the old so that she might be able to embrace the new. She walked away from the chapel, holding in her hands the old doll. She was not able to let go of the old and consequently missed the better and new doll Jesus offered.  

The Pharisees resisted Jesus and His message for they insisted in believing they are right. They heard Jesus but failed to listen to His message, for their ears were covered with self-righteousness. They believed that what they have is the best which no one can equal or surpass. But Jesus is giving something better than any of the best man can ever conceive. Never before has anyone spoken like Jesus. Never before has anyone presented anything like what Jesus offered to man: eternal life. The coming of Jesus divided them, for they were torn between holding on to what they believed to be the best, and letting go of it to embrace the gift Jesus offered.

Are we torn with the same predicament, holding on to the things we think to be the best; between what Jesus offers to us which is better than the best? When confusion clouds our judgment, we entrust ourselves to God. God, after all, is our refuge and strength. In him, we shall find clarity of mind and heart; that is, if we dare to listen more than simply hear His words; if we dare to embrace the things he offers to us which are better than best we can ever conceive.  

FULFILLMENT OF GOD'S PROMISE

The Israelites learned to be faithful to God the hard way; through their mistakes and infidelity to Him. Once they made a calf in Horeb to worship in place of God (cf Exodus 32:7-14). They exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bullock. They forgot the God who had saved them, who had done great deeds in Egypt. God's wrath almost destroyed them if it were not for Moses’ plea for mercy and God's favor to His people.  So the Lord relented in the punishment which He had threatened to inflict on his people because God so loved the world (John 3:16). They experienced God's mercy and love the hard way. Consequently, that made them cautious not to transgress the Lord, lest they endanger again their status as God's chosen people and receive His wrath.

Pastor Rick Warren said that God's love is like an ocean: You can see its beginning but not its end. For us to experience that love fully, we have to leave the shore, cut the tie of our sail and venture into the unknown. With trust in God, everything will just be fine. It might not be an easy ride but it will surely be worth it. We might be tempted to stay in the security of the shore and not dare to entertain anything that may change the status quo nor try new things for fear that we may transgress the Lord. When Christ brought the message of the love of God to the Jewish people, they held Him in no esteem for He seemed to be a threat to their religion (cf John 5:31-47). Though all testimony they had gathered from John is true, they still denied that He is the Son of God. The wonders He had made in their midst were concrete testimony of His divinity. As they read the books of the prophets, they would realize Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies. They did not accept Him, for they held fast to the beliefs Moses handed over to them. But they were mistaken, not knowing that Christ is the fulfillment of Moses’ instructions. Can we blame the Jews for not believing in Christ? The words and miracles of Christ surely moved many of them, but others held some reservations. They were afraid to offend the God of Moses, Isaac, and Jacob. Their excess fear of God caused their failure to grow in their faith to be more trusting in the Lord rather than relying on themselves again. 

Faith in God empowers us to know Him further, to experience His love further, in ways beyond our imagination. Do not be afraid of the new things God presents to us. Without us knowing, these new things may be the fulfillment of the promises of God in our life which we all long for.