Reflections

There are a lot of things that intrigue me about Jesus. One of the aspects of His ministry that has always produced jaw-dropping, head scratching response, is His opposite teachings.

Consider these paradoxical propositions: to live you must die (Mark 8:34) to gain you must give (Matt 19:21); “blessed are those who mourn’ (Matt 5:4) ; to rule you must serve (Luke 22:26; and suffering has purpose 5:10,11). It is prouncements like these that make people think Christ is strangely out of touch.

But we are the ones out of touch and He is the one whose teachings are not contradictory. We’re like children who think they know better than their parents what is the best for them.

As we journey through life we think we have it all figured out . Yet often Jesus interrupts us in the midst of life and calls us to a new and better way that is often challenging but rewarding.

No wonder God has told us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts , nor are your ways My ways. (Isa 55:8).

So rather than rely on our mixed-up instincts and our own plans, let’s ask Him to help us reflect on His Ways.