Dear Reader
A young Jew named Jonathan begins to hear about and see Jesus, and has many mixed feelings about him. He has a disturbing encounter where Jesus looks into his eyes, and he feels his great sinfulness and unworthiness before God, and determines to avoid Jesus from then on. But then he has a further discussion with Nathanael, one of Jesus’ disciples. After a brief pause:
Jonathan said, “I wish I had that which he has!”
“The power to heal?”
“No, no! To rid myself of that nagging unrest within me. That which no ceremonial cleansing, no offering of sacrifice seems to relieve. I desire his peace!”
“Seek then, as he does, to do the will of God.”
“How can man know the will of the Holy One?” asked Jonathan derisively. But as he looked at Nathanael’s plain face, now a-shine with a light which reminded him of the Nazarene, he lost his scorn.
“You can listen to the teaching of the rabbi,” said Nathanael. “He knows the will of God.”
“I will!” said Jonathan with sudden decision. “I go soon into Galilee to pay my uncle’s tribute to Rome.”
[Florence Bauer; Behold Your King]
Jonathan’s decision leads him in the end to the desire of his heart. Oh, how much we all need to say, “I will!” with decision in our hearts to every call of the Spirit of God.
Listen to the young man who has wasted his life in rebellion and riotous living and is now in abject poverty: “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” (Luke 15:18)
Hear the disobedient son change his answer to “I will” in repentance: “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.” (Matthew 21:28-29)
Look at Simon Peter and Andrew say “I will” with their feet: “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” (Matthew 4:19-20)
Listen to our Savior’s “I will” to the heavenly Father in the Garden of Gethsemane: “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36)
Observe Paul, stirred by God’s mercies and love to him, say “I will” to the call to love as God loves: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” (2 Corinthians 12:15)
See the blessing that comes as two men say “I will” to the light God shines on their path: “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10:28-33)
Oh, let us say “I will” to the Lord!
Love and prayers,
The Editor