Did the disciples submit to Jesus in everything? It doesn't take much effort to imagine how difficult it must have been to leave their occupations and follow Jesus. He walks up to them and say, "follow me." Submission can be painful when you don't agree with what is being asked of you. Let's look at some examples:
1. Jesus is surrounded by a multitude and suddenly asks, "Who touched me?" Peter must be thinking along the lines of this is a silly question. His evaluation looked only at was visible, while Jesus informed him that someone who touched Him drew healing virtue (the woman with the issue of blood). Luke 8:43-46
Peter had not learned to accept Jesus' words without question.
2. Matthew 14:28-31 - Here we have Peter walking on the water with Jesus. In this story he gets it half right. While focusing on Jesus, he walks on water. The minute he takes his eyes off Jesus by taking note of the wind and waves, he sinks. Doubt will cause you to switch your submission from Jesus to something or someone else.
3. Matthew17:24-27 - Jesus tells Peter to put a hook in the water, and the first fish he pulls out will have a coin in his mouth. Do you know how ridiculous this must have sounded to a professional fisherman? A fish either swallows something or spits it out. Put a hook in the water? He uses nets to haul in fish. Still, he obeyed even though it sounded impossible. When he opened the fish's mouth, there was the coin.
He got a passing grade on this one.
The many examples of the disciples' up and down success with submission to Jesus' commands, we're shown we learn by practice. Even though they failed so many times, God still blessed them.
The enemy tries to make us think we have to get everything perfect before God will bless us. As long as we're growing and maturing in our walk with Him, He will show His divine favor.
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If you're visiting in the area or looking for a church home, we invite you to our Sunday Morning Service at 10:00 AM. Zoe Christian Fellowship is located at 1111 Easton Rd. (Rte. 611), in Warrington, PA. We'd love to meet you!
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