10.26.25 "Don't Be Stopped By 'Slips Into Impatience'"

Sometimes, especially in the Text, the presence of Jesus is especially felt. In a couple of places he puts his humanity directly in front of us. "There are some glaring examples of upside-down thinking in the New Testament, whose whole gospel is only the message of love. These are not at all like the several slips into impatience which I made" (CE.Tx.6.I.21) I am referring to the "slips into impatience" that Jesus is admitting to here. I had a slip into impatience yesterday for which I need to forgive myself. It helps me to know that Jesus had them too.

What is important to see is that Jesus himself is admitting that his thinking and behavior were not always perfect. Sometimes he "slipped." However these slips didn't stop tremendous miracles of healing to extend forth from him. This means that our own imperfections will not stop healing coming forth from us as well. In short, if you are waiting to be perfect to begin your healing mission – stop waiting. It wasn't necessary for Jesus which means it is not necessary of us.

What were these "slips into impatience" that Jesus had?

The obvious one that comes to mind was the scene Jesus caused at the Temple of Jerusalem with the money changers and the sacrificial animal sellers. He turned over the money tables and released the animals. Quite a ruckus! One Biblical account even has Jesus using a whip – although it isn't clear if he actually used the whip to hurt or threaten people, or perhaps just to heard the animals. Still ... not the best display for the "Prince of Peace."

Then there is also the story about how he cursed the fig tree he climbed up to find figs, when he found none. The fig tree was shortly after discovered withered and dead! I have always wondered if Jesus was so all knowing, didn't he know there were no figs on the fig tree BEFORE he climbed up? No matter, the important part here is Jesus was human and he had human "failings" – his so acknowledged "slips into impatience." These didn't stop him from raising Lazarus from the dead, and yours shouldn't be stopping you either.

19 min.
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