Joseph (my 4 year old) is just now gaining a proper understanding of who Jesus is. For some time, Jesus has been a combination of a cartoon character, a superhero, and God. But the coolest thing is that Joseph talks about how he and Jesus talk all the time. Evidently, they are best friends. Here is an example…
Me: JoJo, it’s cold outside right now, but it’s gonna get warmer this afternoon.
JoJo: I know that, daddy.
Me: How do you know that?
JoJo: Jesus telled me that.
Me: Really? That’s awesome!
JoJo: Yep. Jesus tells me everything he knows.
So it is a daily occurrence for me to find out the latest revelation that Jesus has told Joseph. However, last week Joseph went a step further in his relationship with Jesus. He learned that he could use Jesus as a scapegoat when he got in trouble.
On our way to school, we stopped by our Crossroads office for a few moments and he saw a pack of chewing gum that did not belong to him. He asked me if he could have some, and I gave him a piece but told him he could not take the rest with him because that would be stealing. We left and arrived at his preschool when he spoke up from the back seat.
JoJo: Daddy, you won’t believe it! I was praying to Jesus and asking him for gum, and then all of the sudden, some gum just disappeared (he meant to say “appeared”)!
Me: Really? Where did that gum come from?
JoJo: It just came here from heaven! Jesus gave it to me! He answered my prayer!
Me: JoJo, are you lying to me? Did you steal that gum from the office? Did you disobey me and lie about the gum?
JoJo: I’m sorry daddy!!! (Followed by 5 minutes of weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth).
When we arrived at school, he realized his transgression as he stared at the gum he had taken. He knew I would see it the moment we got out of the car. And when confronted with his own guilt, he deferred it to Jesus, not by repenting at first, but by blaming Jesus. Of course, as a small child this is not surprising. It is, however, fascinating to see the parallel between a 4 year old and the rest of us.
We do the EXACT same thing. We willingly disobey the commands of God. Simply because we see something that we want. No matter if it’s good for us, bad for us, or will cause serious consequences. Once we see that thing (boyfriend, girlfriend, money status, accomplishment, accolade, fill in the blank), we ignore the warnings from The Holy Spirit and we push ahead in a mission to get what we want. Once we get it, we realize it was a bad idea. It’s not what we thought it would be. It doesn’t do what we hoped it would do. We sense conviction and guilt as we see the folly in disobeying God, since after all, He knew what would happen and warned us to avoid the sin.
In that moment, we either confess our sin in humility or we blame another. In JoJo’s case, he blamed Jesus for making gum appear. He knew I would not scold or spank Jesus. I didn’t buy it though, and neither does God. And He lovingly points out to us in the moment that misdirection doesn’t fool Him. He sees it all and knows it all.
Quit blaming Jesus for your transgressions and failures. Own them as your own sinful disobedience and confess in repentance. God will take you in His arms and offer you grace; grace that was purchased at a great price by Jesus on the cross. Whatever it is that you are suffering from or through, it is not His fault. On the contrary, He alone can help you and pull you out of that pit you are in. Don’t blame the only one who can truly help you. Take His hand. Take His forgiveness. Take His grace and live!
Comments (13)
Great post. Thanks for the reminder.
Blame it on the boogie!
Great post! Thanks :)
great post.. thanks for sharing it! I think a lot of people need to read this, especially this time of year.
This is a much needed message for all of us in the Church. Thank you.
Sorry, I don't get it! Who does this? There's been seasons were I've not been aware of God...and choose to make decisions on my own. I've had seasons of bitterness towards God and choose to make unhealthy decisions. There's been seasons when I've walk as best I could with God and only acted as He's directed. There's seasons where I don't trust God and tentatively follow what I hear Him asking. But I can't remember a season when I've blamed God when knowingly did something that was unhelpful to me or another.
Doesn't God want to give us the desires of our heart (Ps 37:4). Don't each of us have incredible needs and desires? Isn't life about discovering who we are? So how then do we discover who we are...not by being afraid to step out and pursue our own desires, right?
I thought the popular excuse (especially among kids as young as your son) was "The Devil made me do it!"
Very good post. I know someone who has this annoying ability to make whatever she wants into God's will for her life. Everything she does is within His perfect will, and she is always right.
Great post! Really enjoyed the comparison. It's funny how much we can learn from children. Thanks for sharing!
Very interesting post...Just thinking about Matthew 8:17 He Himself took our infirmities. And Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us......According to the will of God.
God does alot for us...weaknesses or cripplings...
Hebrew 4:1416 and chapter 5:7-9 ....Seeing then that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmiteis; but was in all point tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need...................
Jesus is the counselor..He understand us and our problem...He is the healer..
Remember the conversation in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:37-38
very interesting post and this is what happening in most of the christian life and even me blaming Jesus. Actually Jesus knows what to give for his son/daughter and sometimes we voluntarily fell into the pit without asking Jesus. Most of the time we are pressurizing Jesus to give up what we desire and blame him if that goes wrong and after that praying to god why don't you stopped them if it is not good for me!!. Jesus is ready to give us every thing but we must have a great faith and wait till he gives. If he gives it will be the best.
by
seafishingtackles
Jesus today is still the scapegoat... because each time we knowing sin we are asking him to intercede for us as we spiritually flip him off.