Monday, June 25, 2012

Listening and Learning

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets: 'They will be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me." (John 6:44-45 NIV)

Benjamin had just left the Synagogue after morning prayers. He had asked the rabbi certain questions about the Messiah that troubled his spirit. The rabbi finally admitted that he did not know. So, Benjamin worked his way through the crowded street almost lost in his thoughts.

Since Benjamin had begun to read the Law and the Prophets, he had developed a great hunger for more understanding. And he had begun a quest for the answers to the issues that he had learned from the Scriptures. Most of his friends and family simply said, "Don't question such things. Who knows what they mean? Only Adonai, bless his name, has the answers."  And all his questions really boiled down to one: who is the Messiah and how can we know him?

Suddenly Benjamin was jostled out of his reverie. It wasn't merely the crowd around him that had gotten his attention. Deep in his spirit he heard the voice that had been driving his quest say, "Stop and listen." Without knowing how it had happened, Benjamin found himself in a crowd surrounding a young rabbi. He had heard this rabbi was from Nazareth and had done miracles. Several in the crowd complained because the rabbi wouldn't do a miracle. Benjamin thought this was strange since no one ever demanded any other rabbi to do a miracle.

As the young rabbi talked, his words began to answer the questions in Benjamin's heart. Benjamin realized that his quest was one that the Father had placed in his heart. He realized that God had been teaching him so no one else could answer his questions. Scripture was the voice of the Father drawing him to the Messiah. And as he listened to the young rabbi, faith flooded his heart and soul.

Dear Father, thank you for drawing us to Christ. Empower us with enduring faith that enables us to listen and learn from Christ. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be strong and courageous today listening and learning,

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