JESUS SAID NO?
A few years ago, I took a walk with Jesus. I wandered through the gospels and followed him for a day. A shy observer, I placed myself in the background where I watched and listened. After a while, sensing his welcome, I grew bolder and actually stepped into the scenario. I wondered if I’d make the same choices he made. I soon found out.
Jesus’ day bustled with activity. I liked that–I related. He traveled, he taught in the synagogue, he cast out demons, he healed Simon’s mother-in-law, he hung out at Simon and Andrew’s house, and then after sunset, he healed and cast out demons from those who gathered at Simon’s door. We’re told that the whole city gathered at Simon’s door! (See Mark 1:21-39.)
I felt energized by Jesus’ productivity and wasn’t fazed when he rose before dawn the following morning. I’d likely have done the same. However, my patience waned as he sought a secluded place and spent time praying. Pride pulled me back to the purposeful work of the day before. I understood the importance of communion with the Father but–the crowd called.
I wasn’t alone in my impatience. Simon and the others found Jesus, “Everyone is looking for you,” they told him. I think we all agreed, the people were calling for Jesus and he had a responsibility to respond, didn’t he? I was certain he’d return to the city–I would have.
Instead, Jesus told his disciples it was time to move on. “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” Jesus’ response caught me off guard. It differed drastically from my own inclinations. I realized I would have reacted to the demand of
1the moment. I would have assumed responsibility that wasn’t mine. I would have returned to the city.
In essence, Jesus said no. Plain. Simple. No. For someone who’s spent a lifetime saying “Yes,” often to my own detriment, the
realization that even Jesus occasionally said “No” changed my life. Jesus understood what I so often missed: If he automatically reacted to the felt need of the moment, he might miss his heavenly Father’s perfect purpose for him. In actuality, if Jesus had returned to the clamoring crowed, if he’d said “Yes” to them, he’d have said “No” to his Father’s will.
I wondered how often I’d done that–said “Yes” to something I wasn’t meant to do only to then inadvertently say “No” to God’s purpose for me. I wondered what I’d missed. And I wondered how to determine between the good things that call for my attention and God’s best for me. I knew I’d find the answer back where my patience had grown thin–in Jesus’ time of seclusion and prayer.
I admit I sometimes feel prayer is more passive than productive. That’s a humbling admission–for I know prayer holds power and mystery beyond my fathoming. But as I’ve followed Jesus’ example and practiced the discipline of prayer, seeking a secluded place and conversing with God, I’ve learned that what I say isn’t nearly as important as what I hear. What I hear is the voice of God whispering to my soul, a voice I sometimes miss amid the noise of everyday life. And the voice of God is anything but passive.
Scripture doesn’t share the intimate details of the conversation between Son and Father that early morning. But we do know that Jesus left his time of solitude with a clear sense of
purpose. “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” The prophet Isaiah penned these words: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21). Jesus listened for that voice and listened well.
Not long after my walk with Jesus, I had the opportunity to apply this listening principle while considering several requests: Would I join the steering committee for a new Sunday school class for women in our congregation? And would I occasionally teach the new class? Would I lead a Bible study? Would I help write curriculum for small groups in our church? The requests came within days of each other. With each request the words, “Yes, I’ll do it,” were almost out of my mouth before I could catch them. As they say: old habits die hard.
But instead of automatically reacting, I prayerfully considered each request. I conversed with God. I reminded him of the passions he’d placed in my heart and the gifts he’d given me. I told him that each of these requests felt like a good fit and seemed worthy of my time. I told him I was excited about these opportunities.
Then I listened. Much to my surprise, the word “No” breezed through my mind and heart. And I recognized the voice I heard.
Plain. Simple. No.
Unlike Jesus, I didn’t immediately come away from my time in prayer with a clarified sense of God’s purpose for me. In fact, I left feeling sort of purposeless. But as I’ve continued conversing with God and practicing my listening skills, as I’ve waited on him, I’ve watched his perfect plan for this season of my life slowly unfold.
A few years ago, I took a walk with Jesus. I wandered through the gospels and followed him for a day–and to my surprise, I heard him say “No.”
