It had been over three years since I was at Chapel inside the Smyrna Prison. I was there this past Sunday. Even though I do not know their world, the men always receive me with grace & kindness. Part of me …
- Wants to know their world; I want to hear their story.
- Does not want to know. I do not want to walk in their shoes.
That means all I can really know is something about them. We must live with a person, experience what they experience, walk a mile in their shoes to know who they are. It’s the same with Jesus. It is easy to know lots about Jesus. I can …
- Read my bible, alone, then meditate on what it says.
- Participate in Bible study & hear what others think.
Do these things and I will learn a lot about Jesus, but not everything about Jesus. To truly get Jesus I must experience the Christian life in all its fullness, which includes both pleasure & frustration, joy & disappointment, death & rebirth too. I must walk in Jesus’ shoes to the extent that’s even possible.
- How do I walk a mile in Jesus’ shoes?
- Is that even possible? If it is possible, would I even want too?
Last year, our church studied the Prophet Jonah. He knows all about God. You know the story. He runs away from Nineveh because he knows God will show mercy to his enemy. Jonah says in chapter 4, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” Jonah knows God’s plan & he does not like the plan.
What should God do? What must God do for us, you & me, see things His way?
I know lots about Jesus. I know Jesus ….
- Loves us and will never leave us or forsake us.
- Will not allow the devil to defeat His church. We have a hope & calling.
I am also a stubborn man who, like Jonah, has suggestions to improve God’s plan. Walking in Jesus’ shoes is surrendering my will to the Father’s plan.
Lord Jesus, be merciful to every sinner and saint.
