One  of the gifts of the ‘Holy Spirit’ is the gift of patience.    In allowing patience we grow in love.

Growing in love is not so easy.    It takes time, patience and understanding.

Yet, when we reflect upon Our Risen Lord we can see most clearly patience was manifest within Him.    He, though many times exasperated by the lack of ‘trust’ and ‘understanding’   taught, and imposed, was not understood, but denied!

Why?

Why, was it so difficult to embrace His teachings?    Because Jesus Christ is not about being first.    He is about being second!     Jesus Christ was not first when He was here!   So you disagree?    Christ put all things, and all people before Himself!   Always, the will of the Father beyond anything.    Thereby fulfilling the two ‘Great Commandments’.

The commandments teach the ‘love of God’ first, and ‘love of thy neighbor first before ourselves!     This is why His teachings were so difficult to embrace.    To become ‘Christlike’ is to be second!    Second to ‘all ‘!    This is submission!   Submission to the ‘love of God!’

Humility is Jesus Christ!    To become ‘Christlike’ the place of honor is given to God, and neighbor before ourselves!    This is the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ manifested within the world.

The Book of Luke: Chapter Chapter 18 verse 13-14  Jesus Speaks

13)”   The other man, however, kept his distance. not even daring to raise his eyes to heaven.   All he did was beat his breast and say, ‘ O’God, be merciful to me a sinner,’   14) Believe me, this man went home from the temple justified but the other did not.    For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled while he who humbles himself shall be exalted.”

Book of John: Chapter 5 verses 41-44  Jesus Speaks

41) ” It is not that I accept human praise* 42) it is simply that I know you,   and you do not have the love of God in your hearts.   43) I have come in my Father’s name, yet you do not accept me.   But let someone come in his own name him you will accept.   44) How can people like you believe, when you accept praise from one another yet do not seek the glory that comes from the One (God)?”

Book of Matthew:    Chapter 22 verses 34-40 Jesus Speaks:

34) ” When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled in a body;   35)  and one of them, a lawyer,  in an attempt to trip him up, asked him,   36) “Teacher, which of the commandment of the law is the greatest? ”   37)  Jesus said to him:

” ‘You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, with your whole soul, and with all your mind.’   38)   This is the greatest and first commandment.   39)   The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’   40) on these two commandments the  whole law is based, and the prophets as well.”

Book of Mark: Chapter 10 verses 43-45 Jesus Speaks

43)  ” It can not be like that with you.   Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest;   44) Whoever wants to rank  first among you must serve the needs of all.   45)   The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve-to give his life in ransom for the many.”