January 13
Gen 28-29 | PS 11 | Prov 3:11-12 | Matt 9:18-38
Over forty years ago, I knew that I loved Laurene. I knew that I wanted to enter into a permanent relationship with her. So, without much planning, without even a ring, without a career, without any money, I simply asked her to marry me on our drive home one day. I was nineteen at the time. It came unexpected, and due to our age, she initially wasn't sure if we were even allowed to. The next day, she said, "Yes", and our love has grown over these forty years. I mention this because there were no conditions placed on this relationship. There was no "if, then" statements. There was no I will love you as long as you have children. On her part, there was no I will love you, as long as you provide for me. Perhaps, I was naive, but relationships are meant to be without conditions. As important as my relationship with my wife is, there is no more important relationship than the one that I have with my Savior, Jesus Christ. Do we approach Jesus with that same level of innocence and sincerity? How many approach a relationship with Him with an "if, then" mentality. How many read the Bible to gain clarity, to find peace, to get direction, rather than simply to deepen their relationship with God. How many go to church to find a spouse, to find a safe place to raise children, to find friends, to get "plugged in", rather than to spend time with God and get to know Him better. How many pray to obtain, to get what they desire, rather than to align their wills to His will. The question really is, "Do you or don't you want a relationship with God or not?" If so, then there should be no conditions attached.
Jacob has spent his whole life scheming. Jacob did not deserve it, yet look at the beautiful promise God gives to Jacob in Genesis 28:13-15, "And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”" God offers an unconditional relationship with Jacob, but we see Jacob's conditional entry into this relationship in 28:20-21, "Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God." God says "I will", Jacob replies "if, then". Those who approached Jesus in today's readings came in unconditional faith, and were blessed. We read in Matthew 9:18, 21, 28-30, "While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”... For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”...And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”"
Stop, for a moment and honestly ask yourself what it is that you seek from God. Is it a true relationship based on who He is and who you are? Is it because He deserves our worship, our praise, our everything, realizing that we actually deserve nothing in return? Many find their relationship with God lacking, or a bit anemic, because they fail to approach Him unconditionally. I love Him, not because of what I can get from Him, but because I love Him. Though He doesn't need me, He loves me unconditionally. He gives me what I need, and He knows what I need better than what I think I know that I need. Though He deserves our everything, consider how many more conditions are often placed on a relationship with God than your spouse, your children, your parents, etc. God is more than able to fulfill your deepest needs. Just come to Him without conditions and allow your relationship to unfold.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: