Gentleman Jesus

I’ve said this for years:  God is a GENTLEMAN.  He will not force His way into a place where He is not welcome.

I’ve heard the insipid reasonings of man: “If there really is a God, how could He allow_______?”

Really?  Is that all you’ve got?

God isn’t your fairy godmother.  He isn’t the great, fluffy, spineless, simpering cream puff or genie-in-a-bottle you might hope for Him to be—He’s GOD.  Honestly, He doesn’t owe us anything.

He asked Job countless questions, when Job was feeling unjustly persecuted by his horrific afflictions. 

Job 38:4-7 NLT

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
    Tell me, if you know so much.
⁵ Who determined its dimensions
    and stretched out the surveying line?
⁶ What supports its foundations,
    and who laid its cornerstone
⁷ as the morning stars sang together
    and all the angels shouted for joy?”

And yet—despite all this—He desires a relationship with us!  Traditionally, we choose a circle of friends that are, in some way, our intellectual ‘equals’, people with whom we share some common interests.  We are so incapable of being that for God that it is laughable.  The fact that He desires relationship with us is the biggest and most beautiful mystery of all.

But, like I said: He is a gentleman.  He will never force His way in, never make Himself a nuisance.  He won’t be like the proverbial fish and houseguests who stink after three days.  He doesn’t push Himself into places where you don’t wish Him to work.  He doesn’t take charge of the drama in your life without your permission.

If you want Him to stay, you’re going to have to ask.  If you need His assistance, you’re going to need to humble yourself, quit acting like you have it all under control, and just make your request known unto God.

Yesterday, while I was studying, I came across the two different accounts in the Gospels of the disciples on the Emmaus Road.  If you’re unfamiliar with the story, following Jesus’ crucifixion and just after His resurrection, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a distance of around 7 or 8 miles.  They were rehashing the event of the past few days, when Jesus walked up and joined them.  Their understanding was veiled, and they didn’t recognize him, but as they walked, He probed them for the reason for their despondency.  They poured out their hearts, expressing their disappointment and grief.  They told Him Mary’s report of the empty tomb, and her visit with the angels.  And yet, they weren’t sure they could believe.

Then Jesus gives them the discourse of the ages. 

Luke 24:25-27   NLT

²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” ²⁷ Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

What a bible study THAT must have been!  Schooled by the King of Glory…oh, my Lord!

But the part that just really touched my heart, the part that inspired me to even write this post, was the next verse:

Luke 24:28-29 NKJV

²⁸ Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. ²⁹ BUT THEY CONSTRAINED HIM, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

And I like the way it reads in the New Living Translation as well:

Luke 24:28-29 NLT

²⁸ By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, ²⁹ BUT THEY BEGGED HIM, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them.

He stayed because they asked. 

He came to them, He walked with them, He spoke to them, He probed their hearts and opened His Word unto them—but He didn’t STAY until they ASKED.  And that is when He broke and blessed the bread, and their eyes were opened to His real identity.

Need more proof?  Consider the story of Jesus walking on the water in the middle of the storm.

Mark 6:47-48 NKJV

⁴⁷ Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. ⁴⁸ Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.

All He wanted was an invitation.  He waited for them to cry out.

Mark 6:48-51 NKJV

⁴⁹ And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; ⁵⁰ for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be^[j] of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”⁵¹ Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.

Need some help?  Desperate for direction? Have a scary situation?  Cry out.  Invite Jesus in. 

He’s right there!  He’s as close as the mention of His Name.  He’s just a gentleman.

And a gentleman never comes in without an invitation.