The One Who Leads You

Let me take you back to the first day of this week, when we were encouraged to keep exercising unwavering faith in Jesus, the One whom we follow. I quote a portion of what was given to us then.

There are times when we think that we are being led the wrong way, because what we are hearing and seeing do not in any form or fashion, look like what we know our God to be. The path before us defies the laws of God and all our holy traditions which have stood throughout the ages of time. We are convinced without any doubts whatever, that we are following the wrong path.

In today’s devotion we are shown some interesting facts about disciples who are following Jesus, their Leader. We are speaking of people like Peter, whose lip and life testify to the fact that wherever Jesus leads, he will follow. In fact, we remember these words of Peter to Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Him, See, we have left all and followed You. Matthew 19: 27a. It is this same Peter, along with six other believers, who were told by the Spirit to accompany Gentiles on a private mission to a Gentile family.

Here is the interesting part. Disciple Peter is a diehard Jew where laws and traditions are ingrained in him. It’s like asking, Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Jeremiah 13: 23a. Can Peter change his Jewish traditions? Only through God the Holy Spirit, for He has brought Peter, through a vision, to see God as Lord and Creator, before and above all laws and traditions. The Holy Spirit also told him to go with the Gentiles who had come looking for him. While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them. Acts 10: 19 – 20.

This is no secret journey under the cover of night. Not in the least. They travelled on the streets in full, public view. What a sight! What an ugly, evil sight to the law-abiding Jew, seeing such a thing happening on the streets of Joppa. Do not forget though, that such a sight has only been made possible, because of the Holy Spirit’s working in Peter. He had to get Peter to realize that the very path which he saw as an error, was not. That which was most unlawful, the way of becoming a law breaker, by being found with Gentiles, was the Way Jesus was leading. Where He leads me I will follow.

This may seem like nothing to you, if you are not a Jew. Nevertheless, you and I have our lawful ways and beliefs, which we hold above Sovereign, Creator God. It is when we take and hold high God’s own laws, which we have made better, bigger and more powerful than God. Think about it, with the help and exposing of the Holy Spirit. You and I are Christians, followers of Jesus who have declared that wherever He leads us we will follow. Yet we so often hold our traditions and God’s own laws to imprison, bind and box Him up according to us. We are guilty of this folly in different ways. For some, it has to do with food, whether or not the law says it’s clean or unclean. With others, it has to do with a worship day, whether or not the law says it’s Saturday or Sunday. Still for others, it has to do with being a Christian and baptism, whether or not the law says one must be immersed or not. O yes! The list goes on and on.

The point being made here is this. When we profess to all, before our Risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, that wherever He leads, we will follow, it does not come with any conditions, as we may want it. In other words, it does not mean that you will follow, if it seems right and feasible to you. Does God place you to be a judge of His ways? Utter ignorance!

It does not mean that you will follow Jesus, if it matches your grain. Therefore, if at all it goes against your grain, you immediately know that it is not of the Lord. Pure folly!

It certainly does not mean that you will follow Jesus’ lead, if it all lines up with the law and traditions, so that you will be keeping all the customs and practices which were kept by your forefathers. Pure, dead works.

What a travesty! What ignorance! What self-centeredness! What folly!

Holy Spirit, we beseech You to save us from this evil, for we really do not realize what we are doing and saying. Awaken us to this grievous sin against God. With Your ever working rod and staff, control us that we may in thought, word and deed, fall flat of all pride and self-importance. May we only and ever see God as Sovereign. May we know that He controls all things and all people, so that no one and no thing is able to control Him. He is LORD of all. Amen!