Respond Appropriately

When Alan Nelson was a boy, his dad taught him an important lesson one day as they stood in a soybean field. “What’s that?” his dad asked, pointing to a tall green plant.
Alan looked at him sheepishly and responded, “You know what that is. It’s a cornstalk.”
“No, it’s a weed, “ his dad said.
“Dad, that’s not a weed. We have acres of corn. That is corn.”
Dad answered, “But a cornstalk in a soybean field is a weed.”
When one is misplaced, no matter how right it seemed, it can still be in the wrong place. I had also learnt a long time ago that the right to do something does not necessary mean that doing it is right. Some people insisted on their rights and as a result stepped on toes and made enemies.
The key is appropriateness, understanding what’s needed and doing what it takes to respond effectively. In other words we need to do what is appropriate at the right moment.
Peter in Luke 9:18 was challenged with the question, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter gave the right answer but was promptly told to keep that to himself. The right moment had not yet come and the effectiveness of that revelation would have lost its usefulness.
Instead, the disciples of Jesus were taught other lessons on suffering and servanthood. If the disciples had been able to connect Isaiah 53, they would have understood Jesus’ point here. It was not surprising then that they took a long time to realize that the Messiah’s disciples must also be prepared to suffer. And that if they try to save their (earthly) lives, they will lose the life that really matters, but if they are willing to lay down their lives for Jesus, they will know real life.
The lesson for us is to be able to differentiate the cornstalk in the soybean field. It should have been obvious. Yet, many are still blinded from the true or real message that Jesus brought to us on the cross.
When you understand the message of the cross, respond to God’s love now. It will make a difference in your life.