Confidence in Jesus

When we start in life, we naturally begin to wrestle with all the BIG questions of life, e.g.,

• How did we get here?
• What is our purpose?
• What happens to us when we die?
• Who made God?
• Who are God’s creators?
• What is the meaning of life?
• Why is there so much uncertainty about our history?
• Why are there conflicting theories for how we got here?
• Etc.

In our scripture readings today, the followers of Jesus and the Pharisees (the religious elite) had many questions for Jesus because His teachings were radical to their legalistic view of God and how to apply the Law properly. They had God in the “box of certainty.” Jesus’ teachings were out of the box, which inflamed their many doubts about God and pressed against their certainty and how they schooled and controlled others. They were clueless that Jesus was the entire essence of God and revealed God’s character in every respect.

As kingdom people, we can focus on the person of Jesus and what the cross and resurrection represent to the kingdom of God. Through Jesus, we see God, and when we understand that Jesus is the revelation of the Creator of the universe, it should heed our questions. We are in Christ Jesus, and Christ Jesus is in us; we can learn to live into Jesus will total confidence and not be stuck in the box of certainty. We may have many questions, but when it comes to who Jesus truly is and what He represents, there are no more questions, only faith and carrying out His plan for our lives.

Scripture Readings

• Numbers 19:1-20:29
• Psalm 33:1-9
• Proverbs 11:22-24
• Mark 12:1-27

Reflection Questions

1. What did you take away from today’s reflection and scripture readings?
2. How certain are you about God?
3. How certain are you about the Bible? Do you take the entire bible literally?
4. Would you say your faith is seeded in confidence or certainty?
5. Why did the Pharisees, Gentiles, Jews, and even the Disciples struggle with the teachings of Jesus?
6. What part of Jesus’ teachings do you still struggle with still today?

Prayer

Lord, You are my truth and life. All the answers to life’s BIG questions I find in Your word, Your son, the cross, and resurrection. Please help me to live the kingdom life with confidence and not getting bogged down or lost in certainty. Thank You for everything, and especially for delivering me from the wrath of darkness and inviting me to live the kingdom life now and for eternity. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will and not mine be done, always,  now, and forever. Amen.