Patience - Week 4

Monday

John 1.1-4, 14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind... 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

There was a brief period of time between when I bought my wife’s engagement ring and when I asked her to marry me. This small blip on the calendar seemed like forever to me in the moment! That engagement ring was burning a hole in my pocket and I had to constantly remind myself NOT to propose each time I saw her. I had to stick with the plan.

I needed to wait.

I had to be patient.

Anyone who knows me at all know that patience is not my strong suit. I have a hard time waiting for things, whatever they may be. If an app on my phone loads slowly, I get frustrated. If I’m inconvenienced for one second while driving, I’m tempted to lash out verbally. I hate giving gifts because the waiting for my loved ones to open them kills me!

So, needless to say, the patience that Jesus exhibited while here on earth is completely foreign to me.

Have you ever thought about just how patient Jesus was? We all could probably point to a story or two from his life that demonstrates that patience was a part of his makeup. But I want to approach Jesus’ patience from a slightly different angle.

Jesus was born and lived thirty years in near anonymity before he officially started his ministry. Think about that. Thirty years!

The Word (the second Person of the Trinity) became flesh (a human, one of us [!]), here on this dirty, stinky, sweaty planet and waited thirty years to really get down to business. That’s amazing! He could have done his ministry in way he chose. But he chose to be patient. He chose the slow game.

So the next time that I’m faced with a minor incident that makes me wait a bit, I need to remember that Jesus was patient when he began his ministry.

And he continues to be patient with me – allowing me time to be formed into his likeness over time.

How has Jesus been patient with you lately?

~Matt Barnes

Tuesday

Matthew 14.13-21

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Long-suffering: the ability to bear with others where they are.

Why do we get so frustrated with others when they don’t meet our expectations? Why do we get so frustrated in moments of high stress, demand, and emotion? Maybe we haven’t learned to be long-suffering.

Being a dad comes with ample opportunity for frustration and long suffering. There are times when I ask my oldest daughter to pick up her toys or dresses only to be completely ignored. Usually I’m thinking several steps beyond what I need her to do now to how her doing that affects the fun we can have later. But she doesn’t see things the way I do, she’s three feet shorter and 26 years younger. Insert frustration, disappointment, and suffering. In these moments of frustration I have an opportunity to help her see what I see and to love her regardless.

Jesus finds himself in a situation with a similar opportunity for disappointment and frustration. There are 5000 men plus women and children who have eagerly followed him, devouring His teachings. The challenge is, however, His words are all they’d devoured. Even bigger challenge is, who has enough food or money on hand to feed over 5000 people? The disciples propose to send everyone home and Jesus surprises them by saying “You give them something to eat.” Can you see the disciples looking at Jesus with twisted faces full of confusion? This is one of many times that Jesus was disappointed with His boys, but we don’t see Jesus react out of that disappointment. We see Jesus purpose to be patient and long suffering with His disciples.

Jesus was keenly aware of what was most important, even when emotions were high. In this case the people eating was important, but what was more important was His disciples being able to walk by faith and believe that there is a solution in any circumstance with God. Instead of getting frustrated and angry with His disciples, He remembers His duty to train and prepare them for the difficult times ahead, and He does just that.

How often would our frustration be reduced if we were to take a moment to remember what is most important? Would our attitudes change if we thought through why we chose to raise our children we did, became their friend in the first place, chose that place of employment, picked that class, the list could go on.

What helped Jesus to be patient with his disciples in times of challenge was having a keen awareness of what was most important. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be even more aware of what is most important and this enables us to be much more patient if we follow His lead. Christ is calling us to more! How much would it help our neighbors if we were to think more about what it means to “Love our neighbors as ourselves”? Would we be more patient?

Let’s follow Christ’s lead in this area of patience and see how it transforms our families, careers, and communities! Let’s be laser-focused on what matters most.

~Mark Fields

Wednesday

John 3.1-15

1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

“Don’t forget to turn off the light when you leave the room; please put the milk back in the refrigerator, remember to hang up your clothes, be kind to your siblings, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all...”

There are certain things – sometimes the seemingly simplest things - that just don't seem to sink into our children's heads even though we have said them a zillion times. We've all been there, but we still find ourselves repeating the reminders, over and over again. We've said these things so many times; shouldn't that make it easier for them to remember? Are they just not listening? How many different ways and examples can we give them? They should know better by now...look how old they are already!

An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, "How do you expect to get into Heaven?" The boy thought it over and said, "Well, I'll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, 'For Heaven's sake, come in or stay out!'"

Thankfully, that sense of frustration that we sometimes feel rising inside of us is not how God responds to us when we just “don’t get it – even though we know better – after all these years.”

In John chapter 3, Nicodemus comes to talk with Jesus. He has seen Jesus do many signs and is certain that God is with Jesus. He is trying to figure out just who Jesus is. Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a learned teacher himself. He has heard and studied the Scriptures his entire life. Deep down inside Nicodemus is wondering if Jesus is the long-awaited, promised Messiah. Could it be? Nicodemus is pondering the things he has heard and studied about – things that he already knows. Jesus answers Nicodemus’ tentative query with a direct and gentle invitation to become a new man – to be born anew of the Spirit and water. Nicodemus is confused by Jesus’ reply. Jesus has been waiting patiently for Nicodemus to “get it” – for it to “sink in.” Nicodemus has been waiting for the Messiah and to be born of the Spirit but didn’t know that he already had been hearing the Spirit’s beckoning for years. Three times Jesus continues to show Nicodemus his true need for rebirth.

Jesus is long suffering. He yearns for us to come to repentance and have fellowship with Him. He patiently draws us to Himself. Jesus displays God’s patient character in his work of salvation.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3.9

We should be patient, even as He is patient. As the Spirit produces patience in us, He is making us more Christ-like. The patience of Jesus is seen in His relationships with people. As followers of Jesus, we are called to demonstrate patience in our relationships and circumstances. Jesus’ immense patience is an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life. God desires that become more and more like Him:

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3.18

God is the Source, and His Spirit the means of this very valuable fruit.

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” ― C.S. Lewis

Questions:
1. What are some of the ways that Jesus has extended His patience to you?
2. How are you demonstrating patience in your relationships?
3. Think of some practical ways to practice patience on a daily basis.

~Aleta Helwig

Thursday

John 9.1-7

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Do you ever feel like you’re asking the wrong questions? It’s not always easy to realize that without someone who knows better letting you know.

In today’s passage we find this very situation. This question that the disciples ask Jesus may seem odd at first glance. However, when you pause to think about it, we often have the same kinds of questions when wrestling with the problem of pain and suffering – especially when its purpose and meaning is hardest to grasp. Since the Garden of Eden, the truest and most all-encompassing problem of pain and suffering has been the brokenness of our relationship with God. Think back to the Garden. He was physically present, walking with Adam and Eve. They spoke to him, in person. There was nothing that separated them in a physical and spiritual sense.

Until both were broken...

The physical and the spiritual relationship with God were painfully ripped away by sin. Since humanity’s banishment from that intimate relationship it has been God’s plan and desire to be revealed IN our lives – a restored intimate relationship from WITHIN. He gives us that opportunity for restored relationship through Jesus Christ and through the work of his Spirit.

A very common discipline practice for parents is giving their child a “Time-Out” when they do something wrong. This kind of punishment involves quiet alone time, often in a specific location, so the child can calm down and consider what they did wrong. As a parent you find out very quickly that the “Time-Out” is not nearly as important as the “Time-In” to sit down with your child to discuss what went wrong, how he or she should act next time, and why the right behavior is expected and wrong behavior unacceptable. Without the “Time-In” the “Time-Out” is just a punishment with no real meaning or purpose.

I am thankful we have a God who has taken “Time-In” with us – to the point of sending his Son. Even in this wrong-headed question the disciples ask, Jesus patiently enters in to show grace and teach them about God’s purposes. He enters into the life of the blind man to bring healing. He declares that God’s ultimate desire is that he might be displayed IN our lives. He declares that there are abundant opportunities for the works of God to be displayed in us. And this is a work he invites us into. He says, “As long as it is day, WE must do the works of him who sent me.” While he is in our lives, while the Spirit lives and moves and breathes in our lives, let us be his lights in this dark world.

~Jeremy Rose

Friday

John 13.6-10

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. What? There’s a scene that would have sparked scandal and controversy if there ever was one. Jesus, the rabbi, the master, the Lord of all, doing the work of the lowliest servant in the household! God forbid! That was Peter’s reaction for sure. He was indignant that his master should wash his feet.

Jesus’ reply to Peter is contrastingly patient and loving. Not only does he take time to explain why he was doing this (Peter needed the washing to be obedient and to identify with Jesus), he is also so patient with Peter’s impetuous reply, asking Jesus to wash his entire body! The washing that Jesus was doing was foreshadowing the cleansing that would happen at the cross.

As part of a worship leading course I once did, we were asked to write a worship song. It was this incident recorded in John’s gospel that inspired me. It struck me that while Jesus was exhibiting patience and that patience came from a deep well of love and compassion for Peter and his disciples. So, this is what I wrote:

So you took off your robe
Poured water on my feet
Jesus how your love makes my life complete
Wash more than just my feet, wash every part of me.

I need you Jesus, I need your heart
Teach me to love Lord, more than enough
Down at your feet Lord, is where I will sing
I need you Jesus, you are more than enough for me.

What we need to understand is that in order to have any of the fruit of the Spirit that Jesus had, we must first have love. His love. It is from that love of God that the Spirit comes. And it is from the Holy Spirit that the other fruit come. If you are finding it hard to be patient with someone in your life, think of how much God loves that person - that he sent Jesus to die on the cross for him or her. If we only learned to see others through Jesus’ eyes, we would have all the love and the patience we will ever need.

~Walter Alexander

Saturday

John 20.24-28

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus has come back and He has ultimately conquered the grave! He is living breathing and walking. Seeing Him is not enough for some like Thomas. Their pain and humanity demand something more of Jesus. Jesus in this passage has Thomas touch his side. In the midst of Thomas’ pain and doubt Jesus responds with wonderful grace.

Sometimes, it takes me a while to understand things. I remember school being difficult because I would watch kids understand math problems and memorize stuff so much faster than I could. I was often embarrassed. I was especially ashamed when I couldn’t please a teacher with being able to understand what they were presenting to me. At the zoo I needed glasses but didn’t have them. Kids would point out animals that I couldn’t see because of my vision. I would lie and pretend as though I could see everything they would point out. That example of inability to understand or see something began to feed a harsh voice on the inside – a voice that would say, “ How could you not understand this? How could you not get this? What’s wrong with you?” It’s a voice that I have to combat all the time. Sometimes we can even translate that same inner voice to the voice in which Christ interacts with us.

If we don’t understand something He is trying to convey to us, His tone is that of one of a disappointed father. This is especially the case if our voice towards Jesus is harsh. We assume His tone with us would be harsh as well. We assume He would repay us with the same in which we give Him

Try this. Refer back to the words of Jesus and Thomas and focus on the words of Thomas. You are going to read them out loud and try different tones. Say the words of Jesus starting with a harsh angry tone. How does it sound and feel? Now try it with sarcasm. How about that? Now, try this. Read it out loud with a tone of love, kindness, and gentleness. How does that sound and feel? What does the last tone convey about the heart of Jesus towards us?

Thomas is doubtful even in the face of Jesus. But Jesus extends grace and kindness to let Thomas know that He has come back and He loves him. Imagine how Thomas must have felt knowing that Jesus went to whatever lengths it took to show Thomas His love.

1. Name a time when Christ has gone out of His way to connect with you.
2. What did it feel like?
3. What does it mean to you that Christ sees you with the same heart He sees Thomas with?

~Perry Hawkins