Abiding Through Challenges
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Caught in an open argument with the religious leaders, Jesus is challenged as a fake. These religious leaders perceived Jesus to be a blasphemer and a social danger. They could only see Jesus through their religious and cultural eyes. That caused them to miss out on the revelation of the Messiah they were specifically waiting for.
Jesus fulfilled all the prophets had spoken, but he came in a way they did not imagine. Instead of honoring Jesus and humbling themselves before him, they were attacking him and plotting against him. In the heat of the conflict, the Jews pronounced him a liar for pretending he had seen Abraham.
John 8:58 (NIV) says,“‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’”
Can you imagine that moment? Jesus understood who he was. He knew that his glory came from the Father and that his patient obedience would lead to greater honor and glory.
The Jews could not understand what was going on, but that didn’t stop Jesus from living in obedience to the Father. Jesus kept abiding in the Father in the face of challenges.
God doesn’t call us to abide only when it is comfortable. Sometimes the most important time to abide is in the midst of conflict. There is no shortage of conflict and tension in our world, but it is easy to compartmentalize our faith. We access our religious side when we feel good or are in faith-focused spaces, but we leave it behind in the trials when we need it most.
My challenge for you today is to continue in or begin the process of abiding through trials. More and more, I am convinced that this is one of the most important ways the Father prunes us to be holy and mature.
Jesus was able to stand his ground against the accusations of the Jews because he understood his identity in the Father even when he was being outright contradicted. He didn’t stoop to their level of argumentation, but he kept on reciting the truth. In the face of conflict, the necessity for a firm foundation becomes clear.
If you have the opportunity to spend time in the secret place, I encourage you to open your heart to the Lord and ask him to help you root your identity in him. Colossians 2:6-7 is a good place to start. As you go through your day, lean into the heart of God and let him teach you to abide during challenging moments.
Amen.
