Birds of the Sky and Lilies of the Field

 Our topic this past week was fear of the Lord. Our speakers were very straightforward and insisted that we take a look at our own shortcomings. Jesus came to earth and set the perfect example of how to live our lives. His humility, character, words, and actions were inspiring and full of love. I enjoy reading about Jesus’ life in the Bible because many times he spoke in a way that left his audience reflecting on his words.  In John 4, while Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman, his disciples went to town for food. When they rejoined Him they urged him to eat because they knew he had been without food. Jesus responds to them by saying “I have food you know nothing about”. They asked each other “could someone else have brought him food”? He overhears them and responds by saying “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to finish His work”. 

This makes me smile a bit because I’m sure the disciples were dumbfounded as to why Jesus was making such a big deal about lunch. Jesus didn’t mean that He literally ingested the will of His father  but that obeying God satisfied him. Jesus listened and obeyed God in every aspect of his life.

Throughout the week I find myself falling short of Jesus’ example quite often as I tend to react in frustration, anger and impatience to those around me and with myself. Life here can be stressful because we have so much to do with what feels like not a lot of time. We are in class almost all day followed by work duties and nightly activities. In the past few weeks we have also been assigned two books read, not including the Bible. This can be overwhelming when trying to maintain relationships with family and friends at home, cultivate relationships with people here and fundraise money. Not to mention eating and getting rest. I am not asking you to feel bad for me but this just context for the rest of the story. Jesus wasn’t anxious for any of these things. He was perfectly calm and present in all situations and was always outsmarting those who questioned his authority. Jesus’ words pertaining to this area of our life were to be like the birds of the sky and lilies of the field. It seems that Jesus wants us to live a carefree life. By carefree I mean free from worldly worries. This does not mean to neglect cultivating and maintaining relationships with the people you love.  Jesus wants us to be free from anxiety and worry so that we can enjoy our lives and be in harmony with those around us. We don’t want to hurt those closest to us but we often do because we don’t know where the negative feelings are coming from. I like that Jesus didn’t respond in emotion but always out of truth and love. I am also so thankful that Jesus came to set an example. 

Jesus’ didn’t respond out of emotion to those who criticized him or attempted to undermine his authority either. He was always calm and able answer them clearly. He didn’t respond in extreme ways but always firmly with grace. When asked about paying taxes He asked whose inscription was on the coin and then said “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s”. Jesus outwitted His opponents with His words and always spoke in truth. The Pharisees couldn’t find evidence to accuse him but hated him nonetheless. They hated him because his message broke their traditions and called for intimate relationship with God. We don’t have to try to interpret the Bible for his words to speak to our heart. We only have to listen. I love reading the gospels and picturing the small details like Jesus and His disciples walking everywhere they went. I like to imagine the different towns they traveled to and how each one was different. I don’t know what Jesus looked like but He had a kind and gentle soul that cared for the lowly and needy. He tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. What I think Jesus was trying to say is that life in Him is the best life anyone can wish for. I hope you all enjoyed reading this blog and will update you with more details later. Thank you for reading and may the God of peace be with you. 

Isaac  

Here are some pictures of the view from the Mazatlan lighthouse