Paitence Pt. 2
Matthew 9: 1-8, James 5:7-8
We can look to Jesus as an example of living in the center of patience as he was with his friends, his enemies, those who came to see him. Jesus was able to address the needs that were before him and be patient in the midst of it. What does it feel like to be in the center of patience?
The parables of Jesus in the Gospels show how Jesus' response came from patience and knowing what patience required. In Matthew 9, the author describes not only how Jesus came to heal a paralytic man, but also how those who were there quickly denied that it ever happened. Before they even said out loud their thoughts against him, Jesus was already addressing their doubts (V4). If we read closer into verse 4, he’s not just saying ‘why do you doubt me?’ but really addressing the evil that is stored in their heart.
Jesus was often doubted or rejected in the midst of his ministry. Jesus was perfect in his patience and love towards the ones that rejected him. How do we respond to similar adversity? We know we are living into the fruit of the spirit of patience when we receive God’s peace no matter the circumstance, take on the natural motion of slowness that comes with patience, and wait knowing the fruit to come (James 5:7-8).
How often do we live towards someone that is far from Jesus, have a hard conversation hoping for change, make a plan that doesn’t go as planned, or have a hard time waiting for God’s timing to meet our expectation? I would say that each of those things happen pretty often. We can believe that we are responding like Jesus would when we wait knowing the fruit to come. When we live at the pace needed and not the one we expect. John Mark Comer asked the question in his book Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: “Can you imagine a rushed Jesus?”. We can’t! He was always living in the idea that with patience comes slowness and a type of relaxation that only comes from the deep belief that God the Father will provide or supply what he needs.
So for today, pray that God would be your source of peace in patience. How can you respond to God’s patience in slowness? Meditate on His word and ask him to give you a heart of patience in the things that are bringing you anxiety today.
