Rest in Life
I was praying when the Holy Spirit said to me, “When Jesus was preaching in the earth, the earth was full of sin.” Tiberius was the ruler of Rome and they controlled Judea. However, Jesus’ focus was never on the Romans and how they ruled, but on his people and how they served Him.
Jesus never tried to change the laws of Rome. He actually obeyed their laws. When some of the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus they said “Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” Mark 12:14-17, ESV
Jesus’ focus was on those whom he called his people. Many of the people were hoping that he was coming to bring war on the Rome, but instead he was bringing the kingdom of God to his people of Israel! His goal at that time was to change Israel, not the world. If he could get Israel to follow his commands, then the world could be changed through them. God showed me that so many believers are focused on changing the world when all he called us to do was to love and stand in faith.
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40, ESV
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11, ESV
When we are following those two commands we will find rest in every area of our life. Anything outside of walking in love and standing on the word of God moves you out of position. Then you find yourself out of peace.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus brought clarity as to how we are to treat our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers,[i] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Matthew 5:44-47, ESV
Father,
I pray in Jesus’ name to be a better ambassador of the kingdom of God. Help me to remember that I am not here to correct the world, but to give the world your love. I ask for your help when I am tempted to fall into the ways of this world. Help me to resist all temptations so that I stay standing in my position of love. In Jesus’ name amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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