March 15 Drop the Stones

John 10:31-33 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
 
THE lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. (Proverbs 15:7) I wonder what the highly educated Jews would have said if they had listened to God’s Word such as Proverbs 15:7? Would these “fools” have become wise in the Lord’s knowledge?
   These ruling Jews had just forcefully implored Jesus to tell them who he is. He answered them, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) Foolishly, they didn’t believe him. So they picked up stones to kill him! They continued to approve, accept and even demand Jesus’ miracles; yet, they foolishly rejected his unity with the Father. They believed, it seems, the physical, while they rejected the spiritual.
   Are we prone to do the same? In my experiences in my own faith walk and in the church, it seems we almost daily pray for God to do a miracle. It could be to rescue a person from addiction or sudden, life-threatening illness. Often we pray for others’ salvation. We seek God for funds for a new church mission or community project. God’s Spirit, we pray, will miraculously revive a broken society or bring food and water to places in need.
   But let’s stop to think about our response to God’s Word. God has written his Bible to declare who he is and who we are. If we listen, we will learn God is Creator, Redeemer, Savior, Helper, Judge, Love and Life eternal. God tells us plainly who he is, what to do and what not do.
   Are you listening? Do you receive his commands with the same enthusiasm with which you receive his miraculous work? When a sinner is saved, you rejoice. Right? When food is on the table of a once-empty home, you celebrate. Right? When God commands you to stop your sin, you celebrate. Right?
   These spiritual miracles are God’s will for you. If you confess Jesus, “Lord.” the Spirit has revealed to you the way, the truth and the life of salvation. Receive all God is – his miraculous healings, provision and most of all, his truth and salvation. Yes, with a pure heart put away foolish thoughts and talk. Drop the rocks of unbelief. Pursue righteousness. Receive even his commands. Believe the Savior. Live in peace. Be wise. Spread knowledge.
 
Prayer: I pray, Lord, I am wise to receive your knowledge. Amen.