Hosanna Restoration Church

By the grace of God, we always have a choice. In the beginning, there were two trees in the garden. One was life, and one was death. Jesus came so we could have life. He came with a cup of a new and better covenant so that we could cease to drink from the cup of bitterness and suffering. God left all of his wrath for all who would believe at the cross. So, we look ahead with hope and learn from what was behind.
I have been reminded as I consider Jesus suffering that it was so I would not get what I deserved and I can choose instead what God has promised. I want the new and better covenant. I came to Jesus to be forgiven and that was all I really wanted. I escaped like a bird out of the snare of the fouler. Jesus wanted more for me. He wants me to dwell in the newness of life. It is a life full of choices and I found a lesson in the way Jesus looked and left the temple.
I am pretty sure that He did not like what He saw when He looked. Still, He left and went to Bethany. It was when He came back that He went to the temple and cleaned house. Was it the timing that had to be just right? Was it taking time to seek the Father as to how to best handle it? I imagine it was this and much more. We always have a choice. We can always choose life. Life is what Jesus is all about. In fact, He is life.
Have you ever responded wrongly in a situation? Of course you have. We all have. Have you ever felt like you had to no choice, when in fact you did have a choice? You really just wanted to do what you wanted to do even if it was wrong. Oh how we wish we would have waited in those situations.
There is a way that seems right unto man you know. Jesus was the son of man. He was tempted in every way and more than we could ever be. And yet His desire to do His Father’s will enabled Him wait on the Father’s timing.
So, Jesus left and did other things along with praying about the situation. Only God knows what all went into the decision and the timing, but when He came back to Jerusalem He went straight to the temple and let them know that His Father’s house was to be a house of prayer. The result of course was that some chose to agree and others became more determined than ever to kill Him.
We have obvious choices and in fact easy choices to make if only we will make them. We all want life; the abundant life Jesus promised. None of us wants the cup of wrath. We really do not want to rush into the things the wrong way. Jesus will help us if we ask. Take time to pray.