"Jesus Troubled" - 2

 "When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." (John 13:21 KJV)

  "Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth! This is what the LORD says: "The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me. Even the ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master's care - but Israel doesn't know its master. My people don't recognize my care for them."" (Isaiah 1:2-3 NLT)

 As I was thinking about this, hoping for some relief and encouragement, I couldn't help but think of John's description of what Jesus had done. It was most likely very animated, as if, Jesus rose up and looked up towards heaven, with a sigh; extending His arms out, as to encompass that room in a gesture of including them all in what He was about to announce. 

 To be perfectly clear, what I was speaking about yesterday, although it might be hard to understand, it is very easy for us to accept the fact that God's love for us goes beyond that which will come to pass. To show a little of what that might be like, here is a quote from Matthew Henry on this meaning: 

 "He foretold it, not only for the sake of the rest of the disciples, but for the sake of Judas himself, that he might take warning, and recover himself out of the snare of the devil."

 We obviously cannot see the things which shall be, as God does; but if we could, we would try to do all that is in our power to change a terrible outcome in the life of someone that we love. That is what we are speaking of, as God's love for us is so vast and unfailing; He gives us opportunities to change, if not what should come, but our hearts towards Him; that whatever shall be, we shall become the better through it! 

 As to God's will: His will is always perfect! We are His creation, and He does not make junk! And He does not make mistakes! But, man-o-man, we sure do! Imagine what it must be like for God to deal with all those mistakes and the messes that we make, as He turns things into beauty from ashes; making something of worth from the junk we have made. 

 If He could, He would make us all perfect and obedient children, by just a command; but He made us to fall in love with Him on our own, based upon the love He has extended to us. The trouble is with us, not with Him: He is always troubled for us, caring for us, interceding for us; He never gives up on us...

 "When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians 3:14-19 NLT)