Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me."
Let us follow Jesus without competing or comparing ourselves with others. Let us consider if we are going where Jesus leads and not if we are doing the same thing as others.
If Paul was inclined toward comparing his situation with others he would probably become frustrated very quickly. But instead he is only interested in following anywhere Jesus leads him.
This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you
and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel
that I wear these chains.
Because Paul and Peter choose to follow Jesus in the particular ways he leads them Jesus is able to make them into pillars on which his whole Church is built.
He remained for two full years in his lodgings.
He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance
and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
We might find ourselves trapped in a circumstance and see others around us with freedom. But what if Jesus wants us to be right where we are right now? Or in any case, what if he is calling us somewhere different? What if he has special plans for each one of us? He prepares a place for each of us individually. It is no good trying to fit into someone else's place. We are all called to deeper unity with Jesus. The ways we go are as manifold as there are people who make the journey.
His eyes behold,
his searching glance is on mankind.
Tonight as we welcome the Holy Spirit let us not limit our expectations. Let us not assume that the Holy Spirit only wants to do in us what he does in our neighbors. Scripture assures us that we each receive gifts. But the expression is different in each so we can be one body made up of many parts. Let us ask the Holy Spirit just what he wants to give to us.
Here are some of the many things the Holy Spirit may choose to give or increase on us:
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (from Isaiah)
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (from First Corinthians)
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (from Romans)
The fruits of the Holy Spirit (from Galatians)
These lists in no way exhaust everything that the LORD gives his Church through the Holy Spirit. The only way to be sure we receive what God is to ask him and then follow that word.
The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
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