Safetypinlove

Three different accounts, but the same incident. What looked like discrepancies between what Matthew, Mark, and Luke saw, were simply their different viewpoints. Matthew wrote of two blind men, while both Mark and Luke focused on the apparent spokesperson for the pair…with Mark actually naming him. The other discrepancy was whether they were leaving or approaching Jericho…which can easily be explained. In ancient times there were two cities – old Jericho (the ruins of the old city) and new Jericho (a newer inhabited area close by) . But what was the same was the faith, persistence, and desperation as these men called out for mercy. Also the same, was their recognition and understanding of Jesus’ true identity as the Messiah. And when Jesus asked the blind beggars, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They answered, “We want our sight!” …with their faith becoming the crucial element in their healing.

If we look across Scripture, one of the distinct differences between Jesus and Religion is…Religion shames people for having dirty feet…while Jesus quietly kneels down to wash them. As the Suffering Servant, Jesus endured the humiliation and ridicule of “the Religious elites” of the time, (Matthew 27:41-44) but in turn, only demonstrated patience, kindness, and gentleness to the outcast around Him. Religion humiliates, demeans, and disgraces those who have fallen…while Jesus taught us to not treat them as enemies, but rather to admonish them with kindness, understanding, and supportive correction. (II Timothy 2:24-25 & II Thessalonians 3:14-15) Religion too quickly forgets from which it came…for we are all sinners forgiven by grace, and we should all remember… that for if not by the grace of God, go I.

As a Believer, we must extend to others – especially fellow Believers – the forgiveness, kindness, and love that God has extended to us. As Job’s two friends gathered around him in his misery, they were anything but sympathetic. And Job called them on it in Job 6:14, “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” (Proverbs 11:24 & Proverbs 17:17) Everyday we make the decision to be kind…to be thoughtful and benevolent when it’s the last thing we really want to do. That’s because we’re taught that it’s our obligation and Divine requirement to be kind to one another as we walk in a more Christ-like character of service. (Colossians 3:12, Micah 6:8, Galatians 5:22)

Sadly, this happens too many times in the life of a new Christian. They falsely believe that they can follow God… all the while keeping all their old friends. But as this Scripture shows, it usually doesn’t work. We are influenced by the people we surround ourselves with, and this verse shows the downward progression of our lifestyle when we are nonchalant. We start taking advice from questionable and dishonest sources…we allow the unscrupulous actions of others to reshape ours…finally, we hang out with people that we know we shouldn’t. Intentional Godly and righteous living means we seek out like-minded people who can inspire, uplift, and push us to do & be a better person.

Depending on sources, King David authored either 73 or 75 of the Psalms…showing his deep trust in God through praise. In II Samuel 6:14-22 we see King David dancing & worshipping before the Lord with all his might as the Ark of The Covenant was carried into Jerusalem. He praised God like someone who knew God was watching and not for the benefit of others. While King David didn’t invent worship, he embodied it throughout the Psalms with a humble heart full of praise, thanksgiving, and gladness…for he showed us that real worship isn’t showy, but costly, covenantal, and courageous.

This alabaster jar had no lid, the precious nard was instead sealed in the container…preserved for a very significant use. We thus see this unknown woman deliberately breaking open the jar and anointing Jesus…a profound display of love, devotion, and reverence. However, what the disciples saw was an extravagant waste of resources. But what Jesus saw was much more…a preparation for His burial. And as the fragrance wafted up and filled the room, the disciples were indignant at the woman’s careless actions…but Jesus instead understood it as Ephesians 5:2 states, ” Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Later, when Paul gave instructions for the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper in I Corinthians 11:24, he wrote, “The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘This is My body, broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ ” The disciples couldn’t understand the importance of the broken jar, until they witnessed the broken body of Jesus at the crucifixion…realizing only then Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice and love for all mankind.

In this verse, Jesus is praying for His disciples before He leaves them. But just a few verses late, Jesus is now praying for all Believers when He says, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me…” (John 17:23) These two verses show the pattern in the eternal relationship of Father & Son, which is then reflected in the unity of Son & Believer. Later in John, the risen Jesus again reiterates to His followers, “As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) So why did Jesus place so much importance on evangelism & missions? The ancient Christian Theologian, Augustine, once wrote, “Life consists in fellowship with God, Who created us for Himself, so that our soul is restless unless it finds its rest in Him.” But then its, how can people call on the name of the Lord unless they’ve heard about Him…and how can they hear unless someone shares the Gospel with them…and how can they share the Good News of Jesus unless they’ve been sent? (Romans 10:14-15) It’s all rolled up in the Great Commission of “Go!”… The Father sent Jesus, in turn Jesus is now sending you.

Paul’s admonishment to the Church in Ephesus still has a powerful message for us today. We are to be cognizant of the challenges of living in an evil world…ever holding on to our moral values with grace, compassion, and forgiveness. We are to live with purpose, intention, and circumspect…using a deliberate approach to life – ever mindful of the gravity of our actions and decisions. In Matthew 10:16, as Jesus was about to send the twelve disciples out, He warned them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” In other words, don’t be naive about the evil around you…be wise and prudent in your actions…always walking in integrity and kindness, even in the face of persecution. For God will give you “divine appointments”… those decisive moments of great importance, that you may share your faith persuasively in order that the person may be drawn to Christ.

Another translation of this verse says, “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” So what can we glean from this? Well, for one thing, fleshly anger doesn’t bring about righteousness. (James 1:19-20) We’re also told both in Psalm 4:4 and Ephesians 4:26 that in our anger we are not to sin. When we allow our anger to spill out it’s usually because we’re not getting our way, our needs are not being met as we think they should be, or we feel out of control in a situation. But this Scripture regards patience as superior, and having self-control over our out of control angry emotions, is the righteous attitude God desires. For such a person will bring calm and sound judgment into any crisis.

It’s simple, if you’re not filling your mind with the Word of God…you’re going to show up for a battle without a weapon. The sword to ancient soldiers was both an offensive and defensive weapon to protect themselves from harm and to attack the enemy. And so in order to properly handle their sword, the soldiers were given rigid training and instruction…so that in the heat of battle, they could come out victorious. We see this type of serious wisdom in the Berean Jews, who accepted the Gospel Message in Acts 17:10-11 from Paul and Silas, but also examined the Scriptures daily to verify its truth. Thus, they were credited with a discerning nature and critical thinking…always seeking for the truth through diligent study and reflection of God’s Word. Paul also warned the young pastor Timothy to correctly handle or divide the Word of Truth by accurately interpreting and teaching the Scriptures. (II Timothy 2:15) The phrase, “The Sword Of The Spirit”, is only seen once in Scripture here…which can only magnify the importance of knowing God’s Word before we’re caught up in a battle alone and defenseless.