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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Turning to Those Which Live a True, Just Christian Life


Ancient Manuscript: Gospel of Thomas

Saying:  12

My Reflection on Verse:

We know from the Gospels that Jesus had prepared the Disciples for the time that he would no longer be with them.  We can question if they really understood what Jesus was saying.  We can imagine that they were confused and shocked.  They thought Jesus would always be with them. 

They had to have questions about who the next leader would be.  Who would they go to ask questions?  Would they be left on their own without any leader to guide them?  Who would be good enough to replace Jesus?

The fact is that we too have the same questions.  We have moments that we wonder who I can go to ask questions.  We understand that we have the Bible to go by.  Yet, we often have questions that we want to discuss with someone.  We have issues that we feel we need to talk to someone about.

Jesus makes it clear in this saying that we can go to when we need to ask questions.  Jesus shares with us who we can go to when we are troubled and need advice.  We need to go to someone who is a true Christian.  We need to turn to someone who not only talks the talk but walks the walk.  We need to go to someone that communes with God in prayer and meditation.  

We all know someone that we have trusted when things get rough.  Someone that you can go to and not worry about what you tell them.  We all know someone that you can talk to and know that they will give you advice that will benefit you.  We know someone that has lived the life of a true Christian that studies the word and is willing to share their knowledge with you.

I know for me I have had a few people that I could turn to in those moments.  Several of them have passed from this world to their reward.  I know without a doubt that they are saints in Heaven.  They shared love and truth with all who came to them.  They provided guidance without judgement.

I worried when they passed where I would turn to now.  Who could I go to and discuss my concerns.  Who would I find that would give me the Christian advice I needed? I was not shocked at all that God provided the person that I needed in my life.  I am able to ask questions and know that they through their studying of the word are there for me.

I have also been humbled by those that come to me for advice.  I cannot explain how humbling it is to know that someone trusts you enough that they count you as a person who can help them understand God’s will for their life.  I never thought that I would be one of these people.  Yet, I have noticed over the years that more and more people have considered me this person in their life.

Then as I think about it I know that the people that I have turned to have felt the same way.  A person that is truly living in the will of God will be humbled when this happens to them.  It is nothing to brag about instead it is something to thank God for.  It is a gift that God has granted.

I know that when the disciples asked this question they couldn’t imagine anyone who could replace Jesus in their life.  I am also sure that they were shocked when the community started treating them as sages and advisors.   Can’t you only imagine Peter the first time someone came to him for Christian guidance.  He knew that he had betrayed Jesus in the bleakest of hours.  Yet, he now had the responsibility to guide someone and to give back to Jesus.  He had to be very humbled by this. 

Questions:

Who can you go to when you need to ask questions?  Are you someone others can turn to in their time of need? 


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