They Didn’t Notice
They Didn’t Notice
Reading: Jeremiah 5-6; John 12
The disciples didn’t notice the fulfillment of many Scriptures at the time, but after Jesus was glorified, they remembered that what was written about him matched what was done to him. (John 12:16 MSG)
Here we go again! The disciples missed something important! We often point out that Jesus’ disciples didn’t catch on to things very quickly. But in spite of their slowness to “catch on,” they were his faithful disciples. They had left everything to follow him because they were spiritually hungry and they had chosen to believe in him. And besides, we’re a lot like them!
As they were living it out day by day, their lives were filled with travel and teachings, meals and miracles, conversations and conflicts. They were walking with the man who was fulfilling the prophecies and promises of Scripture, but they didn’t notice that many of the Scriptures were being fulfilled before their eyes. Later, when they had time to think it over and process it all, they realized that what he did matched what the Bible said would happen.
Are things happening around me in fulfillment of God’s promises and purpose that I simply don’t notice? I need to carve out some time in my life to slow down, to stop and think about what’s happening around me and to me – what I’m seeing and experiencing, what God has said, how it all fits together.
I don’t want to miss it! Here are some things I can do:
• Make some daily time during my devotions to think about what’s going on and how it relates to what God has said.
• Talk to others about what’s going on so that I get a broader perspective on things.
• Keep track of what God has said to me, and about me, then check how it relates to what is happening now.
• Be willing to act on what emerges from the understanding I receive in this process.
Prayer:
Father, I need to do better with this. It would be so easy to miss out on the fulfillment of your plan by either moving through things too quickly or because I’ve become spiritually dull and insensitive. Thanks for your patience with me. Help me get better at noticing how your word relates to my life. Amen.