Yet for all that……

Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God. But I will for their sake remember the covenant with their forefathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 26:44-45

God is giving Moses final instructions to deliver to the Israelites before entering Canaan. The instructions are a tough read. The chapter paints the picture of a holy, just God that delivers justice for disobedience. The words were a harsh reality for the Israelites entering the Promised Land. They were to remember the God who delivered them from slavery and not turn away.

The all-knowing God knew that His people would turn away.

After God finishes delivering the news of what justice and punishment look like, He says “yet for all that.” God shows His incredible love and patience for His people saying that, ultimately, He will not break His covenant with them. Although they will turn away and disobey, He will not. His promises are true. He is rock solid. The patience of God overrides the disobedience of the Israelites by holding to His promise.

Fast forward to the New Testament and Jesus. He is leading the disciples, approaching his future death on the cross.

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” Mark 10:33-34

Jesus told the disciples, again, that He was about to be mocked and killed. Imagine how this news must have hit the disciples. They had been following him for almost 3 years, seen the miracles, knew the power, knew His love. The news must have shattered their soul.

Well, not so fast my friend (yes, Lee Corso quote).

What happens next isn’t what you would expect. Mark writes that immediately two of the disciples break off from the group, come up to Jesus, and ask to be put on a pedestal over the other disciples.

And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Mark 10:37

Wow. Seriously? The Bible says that when the other disciples heard this, they became mad or “indignant” at James and John. I guess so.

But, Jesus, He handled the situation differently. Jesus has amazing patience and love and uses the situation as an opportunity to serve.

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45

Jesus was patient. No justice was served. If justice would have been served, James and John were out. Instead, Jesus taught everyone to serve others, not to try to gain power or be put on a pedestal. Serve. Instead of impatience and justice, Jesus had patience and served.

What an incredible lesson. Whenever you are faced with impatience, maybe someone who acted a certain way that upset you. Maybe someone let you down, again. Maybe someone mistreated you, again. Don’t tackle the situation with impatience, trying to deliver your own version of justice. Let your attitude of impatience trigger a patient response, turning the situation to service.

When you catch yourself getting impatient, let this trigger service for the individual. This is how Jesus worked.

Be thankful that we do not receive justice from a holy God, as we would all be doomed. We receive patience and love. Just like with the Israelites, the patience of God overrides our disobedience. The God offering this patience is one to be followed, emulated, and worshipped.

“Yet for all that,” God is patient toward us.

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