A Very Unlikely Pairing

S - Matthew 10:24-25 (NIV): " “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!"

O - We are called to share in the life of Jesus … literally. We receive full adoption as sons, we are made to share in his Kingdom, throne, Spirit and vibrant irrepressible, forever life, etc. We are also assigned to share in his sufferings, rejection, self-denial and self-humility, etc. We are to both expect and accept this because he has called us to himself and to be with him forever … starting NOW! He takes it so very personally (whatever is done to the least of his is done to him) and tells all to take it the same way (no one who has left … for my sake and the gospel …). It is such an unlikely pairing but this is the joy and mystery of amazing grace and never failing love. It really is enough (more than enough) for the student to be like his teacher!

A - I am so unlike Jesus being like Jesus seems so far out there. I accept the facts of the "negatives" as they come my way … I too have been rejected, falsely accused, derided and refused. I have suffered at the hands of family and friends and been mocked and even in physical danger. I have been lavished with the Father's love, amazing grace and his relentless love … and I am so very glad to be able to come near the Lord of all who willingly is the Lord of me. Nevertheless, my reactions and actions under pressure and pain still are so often NOT like Jesus. My mouth, mind and heart, sometimes independently and other times in an unruly gang, seem to react or respond so unlike Jesus in the situations which are a part of sharing in his life. Pride in the good and anger at the bad. Holding it together while the moment is upon me and then falling apart when the moment has passed. David's prayer in Psalm 141 is a good starting point for me as I want to grow and really be like Jesus. David prays: "3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. … 8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death. 9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety."

P - Dear Awesome Jesus,

How, Lord, can I ever really be like you? I want to grow through and out of my core hurt and not respond in word, thought, heart or deed out of its not-like-you force. It drives and you will only lead. Thank you for letting me join you in your life, not just your work or kingdom or adoring crowd. Thank you for wanting me, choosing me and for refusing to change your mind. Thank you for reminding me and helping me know that for the matchless good and the undeserved bad I am called to be like you. Today is the day you have made and I want to spend all of it, seen and unseen, in the unlikely dynamic of being like you. Lord, I really want to be a reason someone else will believe. Enable me in this day, all day, to bring you glory and make you glad.

Steve