During a lively discussion last night at the discipleship course, I was amazed afresh by the power of Jesus Christ. Sifting through even a chapter describing the character and teachings of Christ will blow the mind of an earnest seeker of truth. No matter how well a person combs through a passage of the living Word of God, the same objective truth comes to people in different ways. I love how God is able to reveal Himself to all people who seek Him. Instead of our unique personalities or viewpoints hindering us from understanding, the Holy Spirit is able to lend our individual perceptions to shed light on a passage for all to appreciate.
After Jesus arrived in Nain after the long hike from Capernaum, he saw the sad scene of a dead man being carried out of the city, the only son of a grieving widow. A large crowd had gathered, for much of the city was there to support the woman. Luke 7:13 says, "When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Jesus knew the woman and her great loss, and He had compassion on her. On the surface it may seem inconsiderate to command a weeping widow to stop crying, but Jesus knew what He would do. Luke 7:14 continues: "Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." Jesus spoke to the dead man as if he was alive and could hear him. Was this some sort of hideous prank? And then the unthinkable happened in Luke 7:15: "So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother." At the command of Jesus, the dead man miraculously rose to life before many witnesses. Having compassion on widow and talking to a deceased man is one thing, but through this resurrection Jesus revealed power and authority no living man who witnessed it could deny. Death separates, but Jesus unites and restores.
Later in the chapter, Jesus accepted an invitation from a Pharisee to share a meal with him. While Jesus was eating, a woman well-known by the locals for her life of sin poured an expensive box of perfume on Jesus, washed His feet with her tears, and wiped them clean with her hair. The Pharisee who invited Jesus was completely disgusted with this display and judged Jesus to be a religious fraud. Luke 7:39 reads, "Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." The Pharisee thought to himself if Jesus was indeed a holy man of God, He would not allow this woman to touch Him. But the next verse says something amazing: Luke 7:40 says, "And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it." The verse says, "Jesus answered..." Jesus answered the silent thoughts of the judgmental Pharisee. Are you kidding me? It is one thing to know if someone is a sinner, but another thing entirely to answer the thoughts of another person and to respond with wise insight.
These sort of events were commonplace in the life of Jesus during His pilgrimage on earth. He showed compassion on others, spoke to dead people and raised them to life, and knowingly responded to the thoughts and hearts of men. Jesus lives today and still raises the dead to life and speaks to the hearts of all who seek Him and listen. I believe God has something to say to me and you today if we will heed Him. In Christ there is everlasting hope and life. Jesus created the mind to reason, and it is nothing for Him to change a mind, heart, or life. He stands at the door and knocks, desiring to dine with anyone who will receive Him. That will be a dinner conversation to remember!
After Jesus arrived in Nain after the long hike from Capernaum, he saw the sad scene of a dead man being carried out of the city, the only son of a grieving widow. A large crowd had gathered, for much of the city was there to support the woman. Luke 7:13 says, "When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Jesus knew the woman and her great loss, and He had compassion on her. On the surface it may seem inconsiderate to command a weeping widow to stop crying, but Jesus knew what He would do. Luke 7:14 continues: "Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." Jesus spoke to the dead man as if he was alive and could hear him. Was this some sort of hideous prank? And then the unthinkable happened in Luke 7:15: "So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother." At the command of Jesus, the dead man miraculously rose to life before many witnesses. Having compassion on widow and talking to a deceased man is one thing, but through this resurrection Jesus revealed power and authority no living man who witnessed it could deny. Death separates, but Jesus unites and restores.
Later in the chapter, Jesus accepted an invitation from a Pharisee to share a meal with him. While Jesus was eating, a woman well-known by the locals for her life of sin poured an expensive box of perfume on Jesus, washed His feet with her tears, and wiped them clean with her hair. The Pharisee who invited Jesus was completely disgusted with this display and judged Jesus to be a religious fraud. Luke 7:39 reads, "Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." The Pharisee thought to himself if Jesus was indeed a holy man of God, He would not allow this woman to touch Him. But the next verse says something amazing: Luke 7:40 says, "And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it." The verse says, "Jesus answered..." Jesus answered the silent thoughts of the judgmental Pharisee. Are you kidding me? It is one thing to know if someone is a sinner, but another thing entirely to answer the thoughts of another person and to respond with wise insight.
These sort of events were commonplace in the life of Jesus during His pilgrimage on earth. He showed compassion on others, spoke to dead people and raised them to life, and knowingly responded to the thoughts and hearts of men. Jesus lives today and still raises the dead to life and speaks to the hearts of all who seek Him and listen. I believe God has something to say to me and you today if we will heed Him. In Christ there is everlasting hope and life. Jesus created the mind to reason, and it is nothing for Him to change a mind, heart, or life. He stands at the door and knocks, desiring to dine with anyone who will receive Him. That will be a dinner conversation to remember!
Wow, I would have totally missed that Simon didn't even quietly verbalise his thoughts that Jesus might have heard them. The KJV clearly spells out what happened "Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying,....". The use of the word "within" rather than "to" really helps me see what happened.
ReplyDeleteJesus still amazes! Thanks for sharing.
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