Holy Week: Holy Tuesday

Jesus was one busy man on Holy Tuesday! Not only did he go back to the temple to finish up what he left Monday, he also taught several lessons to prepare his people. 

While all of the lessons Jesus taught were important, one of my favorite ones falls in here. Naturally, I'm going to gravitate towards that one. It's funny how God works as well...today, March 26, 2013, I've seen nothing but bickering and hatred on social media. People are "fighting" for equal rights for gay people.

Truth is, I don't care. I have several friends who are gay. I love them just like I love my straight friends BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE CALLED TO DO!

Don't believe me? This is my favorite lesson:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."'

Any guess why it's my favorite lesson? Because, like I've said over and over and over again, we are reflections of Christ. When people see us, they see God...or they should. When they see us, they should see the light. The salt. A promise for a new beginning. A hope for tomorrow. And, most importantly, they should see someone they can trust to pray for them, no matter what they're going through. 

Can you imagine if we were left alone to pray just for ourselves? Our world would be such a scary place. I can only sit back, lift my hands, and thank God we are not alone.

When you tell people you're going to pray for them, do you actually mean it? More importantly, do you actually do it?

I can't tell you how many times I've told people, I'll pray for you and not 3 minutes later, I forget what I'm praying over. Luckily, we don't have to know or remember every detail because God knows.

But

I'm using this as a challenge.

Remember that fig tree from yesterday? On Tuesday, Jesus used that to show the disciples about faith. Jesus cursed the tree and it withered. When the disciples questioned how it withered so quickly, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

One of the biggest problems with this last part of this verse is the context people read it and believe it in. Is God going to give you a million dollars and let you lose 100 pounds by only eating Krispy Kreme donuts? This isn't Bruce Almighty. 

But, I've found that given time, the true desires of your heart will be given to you. Often, when they present themselves, they're in the perfect timing and not when you wanted them most. Sometimes, you'll find you didn't really need them after all. God's knowledge is just that good.

I'm challenging you to live my favorite lesson: The Greatest Commandment. Love God, love each other as yourself, all will be right with the world.

How will you love your neighbor when it's tough?