Affection

We have come to the final time together for this week, of walking with Jesus on this Lenten Walk and this has been our working Bible text throughout.  And when He had entered a house, away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. Mark 7: 17

From the onset, we were told that the text offered needed information about Jesus’ attitude, actions, attention and affection in this setting, so that, as disciples following Him, we would be able to follow His example. We also understood that if we did not follow our Lord’s lead in all the areas addressed thus far, God, our heavenly Father would not be pleased, with us as partners with His Son. Then our walk with Jesus would be one of utter folly, vanity and defeat.

Holy Spirit, You who have brought us to the ending of this week’s walk, keep us to the end, in our attitude, actions, attention and now, in our affection of our Jesus. Amen!

From the Bible text, we have been given this information. His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.

There is deep, sweet, altogether intimately loving affection that only can be heard, felt, tasted and caressed with the receiving heart of acceptance. Just looking at the words, we are pleased and happy to know that even Jesus’ disciples had to ask Him questions about what He spoke. Indeed, such is pleasing, but it is not preciously personal and exclusively intimate, as anyone may ask Jesus questions. He is available, kind, generous and approachable to all and by all, friend and foe, genuine and fakes alike. What is drawn to us is not their asking, first and foremost, but Jesus’ openly exposed affection towards them, which afforded them leeway, opportunity, vitality and empowerment to ask. He gave them love to ask. Look again, with seeing eyes. Hear again, with hearing ears. Feel again, with surrendered hearts. Know again, with submissive minds. The affection of Jesus’ deeply intimate love for these disciples, friends of His, gave them: -

Leeway to ask Him. They had no leeway with the crowd present, as Jesus’ attention was on the people, first the hierarchy, then the ordinary crowds. The people had their Master’s attention and they would not interrupt. How is it with you? Aren’t there times when, as Jesus’ disciple and friend, as you see how He is attending to others, you simply wait silently and sometimes sad, for you too want Him for yourself? Be patient! Jesus knows all about your need and want, and has a most beautiful time, waiting for you.

Opportunity to ask Him. The disciples had no opportunity to ask. Even if they saw a bit of a leeway, it was not opportunity for them. They wanted time, for they needed teaching and deep understanding at that, about Jesus’ parable. The time was not right, for Jesus was attending to His garden, planting seeds as it were. Aren’t there occasions when, as Jesus’ disciple and friend, you have to keep your hungering and thirsting at bay, as the sheep need to be attended to first? Be trusting! Jesus knows all about your heart’s hunger, and He has a beautifully exclusive time prepared for you.

Vigour to ask Him. The disciples had no kind of compunction, drive, boldness, or vigour to brave the situation, in their ignorance of what Jesus spoke, to seek His attention there and then. They could not as it were, covet their Master’s attention. The crowd was before them. Aren’t there times when, as Jesus’ disciple and friend, working alongside Him, your felt ignorance, not understanding His Spoken Word, causes you to lose some of your speed, energy, vigour and drive? Keep heart! Jesus knows all about your troubled mind. He is about to take you away, to be alone with Him, in sweet seclusion, away from the crowd.

Empowerment to ask Jesus. The disciples, at that moment of not understanding Jesus’ words to the people, were certainly not empowered to ask Him to teach them then and there. O Yes, the crowd was before them in every way, a real big barrier. They listened, heard and served, but lacked the wisdom of understanding what they heard. Aren’t there times when, as Jesus’ disciple and friend, working with Him as His partner, you are hit with His teaching that stumps you and leaves you powerless? You are in this crowd as Jesus continues to teach and O how you are without power to help yourself in any meaningful way. You are bothered about your ignorance. Hold Faith! Jesus knows all about your quietly mounting inner struggles with His teaching, and He has a time apart with Him alone, no crowds, where His jealous love for you is spread our wide, without shame. 

Fellow walkers with our Lord on this Lenten Travel of forty days and forty nights, rejoice! Keep faith! Jesus’ inestimable loyalty and jealously guarded love for you, will never fail to shower you with His ever caring attitude, present attention, loving action and intimate affection.