Words: Jesus' inviting words

John 1:35-39

"The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the lamb of God!' 

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' 

They said, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'Where are you staying?' 'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.'" 

First, a declaration by John the Baptist. John, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, carrying out the good works God had prepared for him to do (Eph 2). John who spent his days declaring that the kingdom of God was near, and that the Messiah would soon enter on to the scene. His life was a pouring out of himself as he lifted high the name of God, as he lifted high and exalted the kingdom of God in the face of religious hypocrite, and in the face of those who were sheep without a shepherd. The heavenly anger, and compassion, he must have felt. And to declare..."Look! The lamb of God!" The Messiah! Jesus! His disciples went. They left John. They went to follow, to seek. They declared intention as they asked where he was staying. Jesus simply replied, "Come." This simple conversation. These simple words. This is where it is at.

"Jesus! Where are you? Where are you going? What are you doing?" These are simple questions. Sometimes we seek because we are hungry and thirsty for more than this life has to offer. Sometimes we ask because we are hurt and we want more. Sometimes we ask because we are motivated out of love and we want to walk in obedience.

Sometimes we ask and then we stop listening. Sometimes we ask and we don't like what we hear.

Jesus always responds..."Come, and you will see." He gets our attention. He asks us to continue listening. He invites us to join Him. So, are you listening as someone standing on the outside of the crowd? Are you listening for the moments that interest you? Are you listening and not participating? Or are you listening intently at His feet, with your shoes on, ready to move when He moves? These words are simple, and invite us to come along.

Transition: Would you like some clear words of direction?

Joshua 22:1-
"Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manaseh and said to them, 'You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. For a long time now–to this very day–you have no deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you. Now that the Lord your God has given your brothers rest as He promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. But be very careful to keep the amendment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you; to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.'

Over the last two weeks I've been reading through Joshua. There are parts of this book that I want to turn my head and look away, and there are parts I jump up and down for and cheer! My understanding of God and the way He works is made clearer every time I read Joshua. My understanding of what it looks like when a servant-leader responds to God, even if the directions are strange or uncomfortable. My own desire and resolve to be obedient, and to listen to the Lord of Hosts (all the way to the end), becomes stronger every time I read this. My faith becomes greater; a faith authored and perfected by Jesus (Heb 12), after all, these accounts were orchestrated by God Himself!

I may go back and write about the beginning of the book, but here I am with about 10 minutes before kiddos wake from naps, and this passage (Joshua 22) spoke to me this morning.

TRANSITION

At one point or another, we've encountered this thing. Sometimes it's of our own choosing, sometimes it isn't. There have been two times in the last year and a half when I've encountered this, and those times were highly uncomfortable. I am comfortable when I have understanding and control over my life. I like routine. These things were taken out of my hands. Looking back they were times where I recognize that God patiently waited while I ran in circles briefly, noticed what I was doing, settled before Him... and then we continued on. As I read this passage I noticed that these people, a portion of the tribes of Israel, were in a time of transition. They had spent the last 5 years in obedience to what they'd been called to do, and they were about to be released from that duty. Joshua's words to them spoke to me and gave me insight for the next time I'm in transition. Please take time to read and study this on your own, and take time to soak in what God would have you learn and apply. Here is what ministered to me.

1) Joshua called together these 2 1/2 tribes and began by encouraging them. "You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. For a long time now–to this very day–you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you." There have been times when as I'm going through transition, I wonder if there is some reason I'm being called to something different. I wonder at times if I've not fulfilled my duties, or if it's because of disobedience. This does encourage me to ask the Lord, "Have I been faithful? Have I fulfilled the mission you've given me?" I could even ask this of my husband, or those who are close to me. God wanted these tribes to know that they had been obedient, and that they were released from their duties. If you are in a transition that is not of your choosing, and you are wondering about this, I encourage you to settle this in your heart by speaking with God about this, or with those who love and care about you.

2) "Now that the Lord your God has given your brothers rest as He promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan." In this passage God is proclaimed as a promise-keeper. So many other places in the Bible also prove that God fulfills His promise. In addition, very specific directions are given to these tribes. Not always are we given directions like this, which is a fulfillment of a promise given by Moses. Sometimes we are asked to wait patiently for just the next step. In those times, the next direction is all we need. During transition times, there will be times when things are unclear. During these times Phil 4:6-7, Prov 3:5-6, are verses that have been lifelines to remind me not to worry, but to remember that if it really is God who directs my steps, what have I to be anxious about! God is a promise-keeper.

3) "But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you; to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul." For those times when I am hanging on for the next step...just waiting for time to pass until there is a next step revealed, these commands are so clear, so life giving, give hope, and are really all we need. Love God. Be obedient. Obey His commands. Hold fast to Him with. all. your. heart. and. all. your. soul. The end. Do we need anything else? For those moments when I just want to KNOW THE FUTURE, and I'm spinning with questions. Love God. Hold fast to Him. Just obey. Praise the Lord for clear directions like these. Transitions are just that...transitions. They don't last. But sometimes they are so dang hard.

I'd love to hear what transition was hard for you, what scripture God used to help you get through, and if any of these words from Joshua 22 resonate with you! Consider commenting below.