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Jesus did many things for people. He cured sick people. He calmed storms for people. He made blind people see. He made lame people walk. And He raised to life people who had died. But at times there were things that He wouldn't do that other people wanted Him to do and thought He ought to do. All the Jews, including His followers, wanted Him to drive out the Romans and establish Israel as the world super power. He wouldn't do it. Notice the story in Luke 12:13-15. "And one of the company said unto Him, Master speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And He said unto Him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Not only did Jesus not do what the man wanted but He gave him a lecture on covetousness. Perhaps, James 4:3 fits here, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." In 1 Cor., 12:7-9, Paul says, "There was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me." And he asked God three times "that it might depart from me." God did not give him what he wanted but said, "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Here is a true follower of God not getting the desired answer to his prayer because God had Paul's greater good in mind. Jesus allowed Mary and Martha to experience the crushing grief of loosing their brother so they could experience the greater joy of resurrection. On Calvary the priest mocked and said "come down and save yourself, then we will believe." I am sure those who loved Jesus were thinking, "YES, PLEASE COME DOWN, PLEASE SHOW THEM." But Jesus had eternity on His mind and wouldn't do it. The two crucified thieves made request of Jesus. The first had the problems of this life and demanded Jesus solve them. The repentant thief, like Jesus, had eternity on his mind. What do you want Jesus to do for you? Pastor Bob |