Did you know that when Paul wrote this verse, he was in chains and in prison? He was arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted "limitations," but instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next.

Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Lent

Isaiah 49:8-15

Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18

J ohn 5:17-30 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working." (18) This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God. (19) Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise. (20) For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel. (21) For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. (22) The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, (23) that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. (24) Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (25) "Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (26) For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, (27) and has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of man. (28) Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice (29) and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. (30) "I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Meditation

T oday is Wednesday of the fourth week of Lent. As I reflect on what Lent means to me I cannot relate it to the warmer, sunnier, greener, scented days of spring in the Northern Hemisphere; in my home country any day of the year is warm and sunny and rainy and sunny again, and then cold. Lent means to me the process of preparation to truly appreciate the greatest sign of genuine love to people: that Jesus gave his life for us.  This, nonetheless, was not the only gift Jesus gave us with his sacrifice. Jesus taught us about one of the most sacred, yet sometimes complex for some, relationships: Father and son relationship. 

The first reading tells about the Lord taking care of his people in the same way as a parent would take care of her child. The second reading enlightens us more in this regard.  Jesus was a “hands-on” learner who was trained by his Father to give testimony of Him. And so is what Jesus did. Not all parent-child relationships that I am aware of are as harmonious as that of Jesus, but most of those that I know are based on love. How challenging it is to teach your child all you think she/he might need to have the life she/he wants to have. How challenging it is to put in practice all your parents taught you to have the life you want. How much I pray every day to be wise enough to teach my children that love is the most simple yet most powerful fuel to reach what they want.

As I think of Jesus as a learner I feel compelled to think of my students. It is so “easy” to prepare a good lecture… and so challenging to truly reach students out! Beyond a momentary smile, beyond a “fun time” in class, beyond a transient feeling of understanding I wish my students would in 10, 20, 30 years from today give testimony of work ethics and respect for nature.

I am a believer that everyone has something to teach and something to learn. What did you teach today? What did you learn today? I pray for our teaching and our learning to be guided by the example of the Lord teaching his Son.

Supplementary Reading

Look beyond Your Limitations

{xtypo_quote} Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains (Colossians 4:3, NLT) {/xtypo_quote} 

D id you know that when Paul wrote this verse, he was in chains and in prison? He was arrested for preaching the gospel. Everything in his surroundings shouted "limitations," but instead of looking at his surroundings, Paul kept his eyes on the limitless God. He kept looking for the open door of opportunity that God would have for him next.

No matter what "chains" you may feel like you are in today, remember, we serve a God who's in the business of setting people free, and He has equipped you with His power. When doors look closed all around you, when your surroundings look limited, when you feel like you're in chains, remember, God is still at work. He's promised to walk with you all the days of your life. Keep your hopes up. Keep expecting. Keep believing. Like Paul, pray for those opportunities to be opened to you. If you fall, get right back up and press forward with even greater determination because He promises to break the chains and open doors of opportunity in your life.

Father in heaven, I choose to take my eyes off my surroundings and focus on You. I choose to focus on the passion and dream You've placed in my heart. I trust that You are working behind the scenes, opening doors of opportunity. In Jesus' Name. Amen. --- Joel Osteen