April 12 What Shall We Do?

John 11:45-46 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the Pharisees and the chief priests met with the Council and said, “What shall we do? Look at all the miracles this man is performing!”
 
“WHAT shall we do?” asked the Pharisees. I want to reach back through the centuries and answer their faithless question. Here are some things you could do Mr. Pharisees: Believe Jesus. Submit to Jesus. Love Jesus. Obey him. Experience his transforming miracles in your hearts.
    And do this: Worship him! The Lord of Life stands before you, and you wonder, “What shall we do?” How blind were you?
    Oh, wait a minute. I was discouraged the other day. Some circumstances occurred that surprised me, even shocked me. Those conditions caused me to mourn a lost relationship. I didn’t know what to do. I asked, “What shall I do?”
    My work is to spend a good deal of time in the Bible every day. I ponder it and respond to it. I ought to very personally know what to do in each circumstance. My mind should be sure of God’s love, truth, law and purpose. I should easily live certain of Jesus’ resurrection power to overcome hard things. The Holy Spirit’s comfort should ease my soul.
    But sometimes I don’t trust God is with me in my situation. Perhaps I am too insignificant, too little for God to put any effort into my life. But then I realize my mind is as the Pharisees’. We make God too small. We forget how personally our Lord brings his majesty to the world.
    After all, Jesus has promised Mary and Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) He has testified to and demonstrated the Father’s resurrection power. Jesus has not only raised Lazarus, he has personally defeated the grave. He is ascended and rules at God’s right hand. The Spirit reminds me that the LORD of heaven has called me to speak and minister his resurrection work throughout the world. The Holy Spirit reminds me to trust God, to celebrate him and to worship him. Only in Jesus will each of us discover the sure hope that all things broken will be made new again.
    “What shall we do?” Let’s be people of faith who do this: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
    Then receive this blessing: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for showing me, empowering me to know what I shall do in all circumstances. I love you. Amen.