Spring springs forth with a multitude of God’s creation. The trees burst upward and their buds fill each branch. Many varieties of flowers explode into bright rainbows of fragrant beauty. Our lawns turn from a dead brown to a thriving blanket of green. People begin to leave the comforts of home for days to delight in the tranquil peace among God’s amazing and incredible creation.
You may remember watching your mom prepare a small flower garden every spring. You may have a small garden of your own as you look forward to the annual return of spring. The refreshing aroma of all the flora and fauna coming alive can bring a flood of fond memories.
It’s important to remember the past. Looking back might give you a desire to imitate what you had once experienced. You smile as you remember the love, the joy, and the beauty of times past. Even if you don’t have those moments anymore, they are warmly and tenderly remembered. What do you recall?
Jesus often gave His disciples instructions to remember events and teachings that they’d witnessed. But, they were like us: humans, and humans can forget even the most important experiences.
When Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:1-8), He had more excitement waiting for Him after coming down to the crowd.
A man had come to Jesus’ disciples pleading for help to heal his son (Matthew 17:1421). This incident comes after Jesus had already sent out His disciples to preach, heal, and cast out demons (Matthew 10). They didn’t remember those amazing missionary moments that Jesus had done through them.
Jesus spoke to the man about his son. He was told that His disciples were unable to help the boy. Then we read in verse 17 that Jesus became angry and rebuked His disciples: “You people are a generation with no faith. You are warped. How long must I be with you?”
When you don’t remember how Jesus conquered your sins, when you don’t remember how you once were a missionary for Jesus by telling others about Him, when you don’t remember His power working in your life, then you don’t remember what Jesus can do for you.
Jesus may have spoken this rebuke to you also. Ouch! You might think, How could I have forgotten? Why didn’t I remember all Jesus has done for me? It’s because you are human.
Life is very short. Jesus wants you to remember all the good that He’s done for you. What do you remember?