The Wrong Request
“Jesus doesn’t take sides; He takes over.” Andy Stanley
The Unwise Request
There are some requests we shouldn’t lift up to Christ. That becomes abundantly clear in Luke 12. A man in the crowd asked Jesus to deal with his unprincipled, selfish, greedy brother. The Lord refused. But with his divinely clear moral eyesight, our Redeemer uncovered the core issue.
Both brothers had a greedy heart.
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:13-14 NIV)
Christ’s answer wasn’t what the man wanted to hear. But it was what he needed. Because greed is a sinful attitude which destroys people’s lives.
My Own Experience
Andy Stanley’s words, “Jesus doesn’t take sides; he takes over” is certainly true in my own life.
The Holy Spirit is much more interested in forming Christ’s character in me. So He doesn’t help me win any arguments. And He’s never metaphorically patted me on the head and said,
“Maureen, you’re right, in your self-justifying rant.”
Instead, He always challenges me.
- To humbly apologize for my side of the argument (Matthew 23:12).
- Keep returning a soft answer (Proverbs 15:1).
- Pray for the people who hurt me (Luke 6:28).
- Bless those who attack me (Luke 6:28 too).
I haven’t won many outward battles about all the little things that used to upset me. But I’ve reaped an rich change in my nature. Because now I have a calmer, more peaceful inner life.
Jesus always want to give us something greater than what we ask Him for.
A Final Thought
When I wanted to come up with an image of clashing wills, I couldn’t find a better one than the fire and water fists striking each other. I discovered it on Pixabay.com and the artist is Ivan Tamas of Budapest.
