“Remember what I told you,” I said to my little girl with golden hair, long and silky. She tilted her chin upward, her blue eyes fringed in black lashes locked into mine, digging deep, she nodded.
“Obey the teacher, and be a friend to everyone.”
Determination replaced the fear. She walked into the new classroom. Like a stick of dynamite.
“When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said…” Jn. 2:22 ESV
Little seemingly insignificant conversations often become meaningful in the long range. Sometimes a passage of Scripture read a hundred times takes on special meaning in a different context of life. A verse, sermon, or just something someone said suddenly speaks into our memory in a situation when we need it most. This was the disciples’ experience after Jesus’ death. “His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” John 12:16 ESV
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you…” Lk. 24:5-6
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James recalled what Jesus said at the empty tomb. “And they remembered his words.” Lk. 24:8 ESV
God says exactly as much as we need through His Word. He brings it to our minds at the right time, and through it demonstrates His heart of love and compassion.
At the bedside of my daughter, when I’d prayed every prayer, begged every plea until there were none left, God in His lovingkindness brought to mind time and again just enough. Something from childhood, verses I’d memorized as a child, godly wisdom from the body of Christ, and a worship exercise from twenty years ago.
New context brings new life and opens eyes to an understanding impossible before.
This was what happened to Jesus’ followers after He purchased our redemption. He said, “It is finished,” so much began.
Luke 24 swirls with unanswered questions. Deep grief, disappointment, and fear backdropped a future looming with uncertainty and danger. The Messiah’s violent death left his followers raw and afraid.
After He said, “It is finished,” so much began“And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:25-27 ESV
A compassionate Father met them in their weakness and they remembered. Like an earthly father planting seeds of life into the hearts of his children, Jesus’ words sprouted. They made sense. The disciples eyes were opened and they remembered what He had said.
We remind our children and grandchildren, “remember what I told you?” To spur them to obedience, protect their safety, or chide their actions.
“Let these words sink into your ears…” we want to say. Luke 9:44 ESV
You might not understand it now, but you will someday.
Layers of His Word, even though it may be read without complete understanding becomes a deep well of wisdom and strength in times of need.
In the dark halls of a hospital at night, at the side of a loved one transitioning to heaven, at news you never wanted to hear and in just plain old daily routine, God uses His teaching to bring comfort and instruction.
Harvest time was a big deal on the farm where I grew up. It was the culmination of hard work and trust in God. If the soil was planted well, if the seeds were well cared for, if God allowed the right weather conditions, the wheat gave birth to more wheat.
God’s Word is seed planted in our hearts. We cannot understand all we read. We fail to apply all of it. Some of it seems confusing. But we read it because God speaks through it and He will bring to mind His Words at the right moment. We pour it into our generations because He will bring His Word to mind even after we are gone. Like a stick of dynamite.
“And they remembered his words.”
God germinates seeds. They sprout when we need them——unless of course they never were planted.
*feature Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash
See my article at Just18Summers:
You might also be interested in my articles at Salem Media:
Discussion
Loading comments...