In Matthew 10 Jesus is sending the disciples out and they are to do great works and preach “the Kingdom of God is near”. They are not too prepare themselves; either with things, or places to stay, or with weapons of self-defense. Their mission is noble and great, yet they will encounter persecution and rejection.
In the midst of this rejection they are to remember and hold on to what God has taught them. Certainly, if they are to hold on during prosecutions, jailing, beatings; then we can hold on during our short bouts of doubt or the oppression or uncertainty. God has told us there will be dark times and we are to hold on. We must remember: our hairs are numbered; we are worth more than many sparrows.
They were to go out, yet they would experience these hard things. God intended that the they should experience the hard things. It should not be a surprise to us when difficulty comes our way. We can only trust God will not allow us to be buried so deep in them that we despair there will never be any relief.
In times of trouble we can ask for advice and comfort from other Christians. The body of Christ is good place to seek counsel. But even with Christians we must be discerning of which people we seek, for some are so opinionated they cannot provide a balanced solution. Such people can sometimes be a part of the problem. You may feel so oppressed by their opinions that you cannot talk freely. You must seek a competent believer who listens and can add a good perspective to yours - - as long as both perspectives are formed on the word of God. You can know who has good advice if you read your Bible.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Monday, June 10, 2019
IN PLAIN SIGHT
Matthew 8:29
Two demon possessed men knew who Jesus was, but the others around Jesus did not. Jesus did things and explained things that plainly showed who he was. When he healed the paralytic, he did it for the purpose of showing them he had the authority to forgive sins. The Pharisees’ statement, “who but God can forgive sins” is true, so we can know Jesus is God. Jesus uses the term "Son of Man" which refers to the second person of the Trinity, the one who became flesh and dwelt among us – the one who can forgive sins.
They found it difficult to believe what was right in front of them, and we also find it difficult. Maybe knowing this – that it is difficult - will help us to get along during our own times. Others, after all, have had difficulties grasping the truth that was plain before them. Knowing this, we can work a little harder, try harder, be a little more patient, dig a little deeper, look more closely, balancing the concept of eternity with the present time. We can also know, and not be distressed, at the existence of others who do not, cannot, will not, believe what is set before them. That others will insist on their own version of who God is in the face of what God shows them should not keep us from being locked onto the truth.
Two demon possessed men knew who Jesus was, but the others around Jesus did not. Jesus did things and explained things that plainly showed who he was. When he healed the paralytic, he did it for the purpose of showing them he had the authority to forgive sins. The Pharisees’ statement, “who but God can forgive sins” is true, so we can know Jesus is God. Jesus uses the term "Son of Man" which refers to the second person of the Trinity, the one who became flesh and dwelt among us – the one who can forgive sins.
They found it difficult to believe what was right in front of them, and we also find it difficult. Maybe knowing this – that it is difficult - will help us to get along during our own times. Others, after all, have had difficulties grasping the truth that was plain before them. Knowing this, we can work a little harder, try harder, be a little more patient, dig a little deeper, look more closely, balancing the concept of eternity with the present time. We can also know, and not be distressed, at the existence of others who do not, cannot, will not, believe what is set before them. That others will insist on their own version of who God is in the face of what God shows them should not keep us from being locked onto the truth.
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