Title: The "Un-Cool" Jesus/ Topic: Judging Others

Today's Reading: Hebrews 5; Hebrews 6; Hebrews 7; Hebrews 8

Scripture: Hebrews 5:7
7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Observation: There is so much deep theology in Hebrews that it is funny that this verse should catch my attention. I never noticed before, in all the many times I've read Hebrews, that Jesus prayed with loud cries and tears. We are so concerned about “cool” and social decorum that we look down on people that are overly emotional in church (or anywhere else). Hmm. I wonder, if Jesus were to show up in my church dressed in modern clothes and praying with loud cries and tears, would I think him to be emotionally unbalanced and needing to be instructed in how not to be disruptive to the flow of the Spirit? Food for thought. Maybe it's my ideas of what's “proper” that need to change.

Application: I worship in a pentecostal church and consider myself to be open to the Spirit. But I still have my own cultural biases that don't necessarily line up with God's viewpoint on how things should or should not be done. I need to re-examine some of these biases based on what the Word says. Maybe I need to learn to not only be more tolerant of emotional, loud praying in church and other Christian gatherings but also need to learn to pray that way more myself.

Prayer: Okay Father, I will let you change me where you want to change me. I know you understand the cultures we come from and the strengths and weaknesses of each. I don't think my cultural norms are bad, but I do need to realize that they aren't the "gold standard" of judging the behavior of others either. Help me to be accepting of others and where they come from and to adjust where I need to adjust. Thank you Lord for your Word.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.