By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Jesus Led and is Led.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

Was Jesus influenced by those who came into contact with Him while he was on Earth? Did His ministry change course due to people who surrounded Him? Yes…and no. His original purpose was always about modeling power, love, forgiveness, and much more to the world and dying for the sins of the world. But…there were those who shaped the way He ministered and the timing of His movements.

Mary, Jesus’ mother, instructed Him to perform His first recorded miracle, turning water into wine. Jesus resisted but eventually moved forward with the suggestion.

“When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”
John 2:3-5 English Standard Version

Later when Jesus informed a non-Jewish woman that He came only for the Jewish people, her belief in Him changed His heart in serving more than those He originally thought He would serve.

“And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.’ But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she is crying out after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ And he answered, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.”
Matthew 15:22-28 English Standard Version 

Can you change Jesus’ mind? Yes. He asks us to have faith and come to Him asking what is in our hearts. But this is not a slot machine. We don’t put a prayer up to heaven and pull the lever. There is a petition and an answer. How it works is a mystery. The bottom line is God cares enough for us to see us individually and consider not only our needs but also our desires. 

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado