"Who Is Running The Show?"

It's too easy for people to be swept away by elementary principles of the world or philosophy rather than according to Christ (Col. 2:8). I really enjoy the old shows I guess because I grew up on them. I was watching a "Leave It To Beaver" episode and the Cleaver's had a litter of rabbits. Ward, the father, explains how the mother rabbit cares for the babies. Beaver turns to Wally (his older brother) and asks, "Is that right, Wally?" It struck me here was the father explaining things and one turns to another source that is lessor in authority for guidance. Who is running the show?

I have known people over the years that go from one person to another, seeking answers to their problems. What they are doing is looking for someone to tell them what they want to hear rather than seek the true answers that are needed. Who is running the show?

There are many who are trying to manipulate outcomes in situations or get people to side with their ideas and thinking. They pry and prod until they get their desired result. Who is running the show?

Jesus always kept His proper place and understood His limitations while on earth. In Luke 12:13-14, someone calls out to Jesus to make a judicial decision about a family inheritance. Jesus responds that He is not a judge or an arbiter in these matters. Jesus knew His place and had a single mind set and being a judge or arbiter was not His business! Why do we try to do things that are not our business? Why are many lives so worn out and frazzled? Because we don't realize who is running the show and we try to run it! Jesus used this opportunity to teach a major lesson.

Jesus realized that the problem of the family inheritance was spiritual! It was called greed and He showed the bigger issue at hand (Luke 12:15). If they would not heed, they would be left fighting and wanting, only to be left in darkness.

In Matthew 20, we see Jesus in a great struggle to get His own disciples to stop trying to run everything, controlling outcomes and settle down on the One who was really running the show. The mother of the two sons of Zebedee came to make a request of Jesus. She bowed, showing reverence toward Him (Matt. 20:20). Jesus was patient while listening to her request that her two sons be better off than anyone else in His kingdom (Matt. 20:21). Jesus was very aware she did not know what she was asking for and her ignorance was revealed before Him (Mat. 20:22-23). But once again, we find Jesus understood His limitations and who ran the show. IT WAS GOD THE FATHER! God will decide who is approved or disapproved in all matters. The other ten became indignant toward the two because they wanted the same thing! Then Jesus turns His attention to them all trying to get them to understand the big picture (Matt. 20:24-28). Jesus would not allow His disciples to act like the Gentiles, the outsiders. When are we going to learn this in the church? We are to have a different spirit about us and realize that Jesus is the head of His body. That means that He runs the show yet so many preachers, elders or members take it upon themselves to take things in a different direction because that's what they want. The greatest in the eyes of the Lord are those who work at serving, willing to sacrifice for others so others will be better off. We have too many trying to be 'lords' while not recognizing who is running the show! Too many are trying to control things only to mess things up because they want something done a certain way.

While on earth, Jesus understood His role and limitations. What about us? Jesus was focused on the will of His Father. What about us? Who is really running the show?