The Silent Times

It struck me yesterday how on several occasions Jesus remained silent when addressed.  Ignoring people seems impolite, but as the supreme God Jesus was never under any obligation to speak - especially to those who did not believe He was the Son of God and refused to trust Him.  If they would not listen or believe the words He spoke, why bother?  Many times Jesus spoke truth to people who did not heed Him because He is gracious, but His unexpected silences have me thinking.

I do not assume I know exactly why Jesus remained silent, but the Bible relates many times when He was.  When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him by the scribes and Pharisees, He stooped and wrote on the ground as if He did not hear.  When questioned by Pilate, Jesus was rebuked for not answering the one who had "power" to release him.  He was also brought before King Herod who was keen to see Jesus, and hoped to see a miracle done by Him.  Luke 23:9 says, "Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing."  All these interactions were attempts to put Jesus on the spot by people who refused to follow Jesus, minds which were stubbornly opposed to faith in Christ.

We are blessed to have the testimony of the Bible, for there is much recorded of the things Jesus said and did.  He said to His disciples in Matthew 7:6, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."  Dogs and pigs are not capable of sanctifying what is holy or treasuring valuable items.  It is not in the nature of animals to discern and appreciate such things, and both dogs and swine were unclean for eating under the Law.  Jesus warned against entrusting holy things to unholy people, and all it would do is agitate them.  Jesus set a good example by following His own commands.

Sometimes in our Christian walks there can be periods of silence, times where the LORD seems strangely quiet.  King Saul found the LORD did not answer Him because he had disobeyed God without repentance and sought honour for himself.  I believe Christians also can have seasons of the "silent treatment," so to speak, times when God withholds clear directives because we are acting similar to the Pharisees, Pilate, and Herod:  we are not trusting in Jesus, are testing Him, believe we are in control, and we want to see a miracle.  We are the ones who can resemble snarling dogs and wallowing pigs and in an unrepentant, fleshly state incapable of responding to the wisdom of God honourably and obediently.  Praise the LORD He is gracious to speak and when we repent, obey, and look to Jesus in faith we find ourselves hearing Him speak:  "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Follow me!"

We Have Opportunities

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Galatians 6:9-10

The farmer sows seed knowing the process of planting, growing, tending, and harvesting crops will take time.  Walking in obedience to God doesn't always bring the tangible results or changes we hope for, and we can wonder if our efforts could be better spent.  Paul exhorted the believers in Galatia to persevere through seasons when there doesn't seem to be much growth or fruitfulness, trusting God will make us fruitful according to His plans and purposes.  He said, "As you have opportunity, let us do go to all."

The Greek word translated "opportunity" is most often translated "time" (64 times) and "season" (13 times), and when I think of opportunities I think of chances - often which can be unplanned.  A few months ago I had the opportunity to go to a Grand Final match, but because of the late notice I was unable to attend.  I could have attended, but it would have negatively impacted other plans I had made.  Opportunities can be inconvenient, involve a degree of risk, and seem to impose themselves upon us.  We all have opportunity to do good as long as we remain on this planet, for God has provide time to invest in loving and serving others.  It is good for us to be prepared for opportunities by determining to seize them when they arise, even when inconvenient or unexpected.

We are not at the mercy of others or the overwhelming amount of needs in the world, for we look to Jesus for strength and guidance.  It is true our resources and time are limited, but it is good for us to be willing to give of our time to seek the LORD and bless others - even when there is no promise of reward, compensation, or recognition.  Let us do good to all as unto the LORD, knowing He will cause us to reap in due time.  Those who are of the "household of faith" are to receive special care from us, for we are part of the same Body of Christ, the church.  Jesus was willing to enter the constraints of time and a human body and did good to all, and He is our glorious example.

Jesus our Sanctuary

"Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered."

Proverbs 11:21

The world is filled with uncertainties and realities which can fill us with debilitating fear.  Countless conspiracies (imagined or genuine) increase concerns and cynical views of everything.  People live in fear of governments, of schemes to disseminate "alternate facts" by media outlets, hidden agendas, secret plans to cull populations, and the collusion of individuals to gain money, power, and control.  Just like music, news reporting, and sport, conspiracy is big business which preys on the alleged ignorance of people to deliver the real truth and secret agendas behind the scenes.  For unbelievers who have no authority in their lives greater than themselves, government, armies, and are at the mercy of this world and the systems imposed upon them, there is cause for alarm given the state of things today.  But one who fears God ought to not be unsettled by a thing.

I am admittedly cynical about most every "conspiracy theory" I have ever heard, and this murky pit of intrigue has drowned many willing victims who clamour for more.  Conspiracies are nothing new and remain as unsatisfactory as ever.  Should a confederacy or conspiracy prove true, what can a person do about it beyond knowledge and attempts to convince others about this plot you can do nothing to stop?  Or you can live in constant fear - and that is what happened to the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the days of Isaiah.  The Assyrian war machine was mowing down nations, and word came to Jerusalem they did not stand a chance against them because there was a confederacy - the Assyrians and others - plotted against them.  The people were troubled because of this conspiracy, but God directed Isaiah to address the people.

Isaiah 8:12-14 says, "Do not say, 'A conspiracy,' Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. ¹³ The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. ¹⁴ He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem."  How amazing is this!  What people called "a conspiracy" was known by God and was no cause for fear.  Instead of God commanding the people to spread the word of the so-called conspiracy, they were to fear God above all and heed Him.  God was as a sanctuary, a place of safety and refuge for His people in a world filled with deceit, hatred, murder, and schemes.  To God's people He is a Saviour and Deliverer, but to all who opposed God and His people He would cause them to stumble and be trapped.  People joined forces against God's people, but the schemers would be the victims of the their own plot!

In hindsight since Jesus Christ has come, we know He is this "stone of stumbling and a rock of offence."  He is the One whom we ought to fear, not the schemes of Satan or men.  Looking forward scripture reveals one day all the nations of the earth will be deceived by Satan to come against Jesus Christ as He is enthroned with His saints in Jerusalem.  The conspiracy to overthrow Him will be strong, but Jesus will destroy them all simply with the words of His mouth.  Isn't God greater than man?  Aren't His plans sovereign and good?  Can Satan and all the demons together overthrow what God has ordained?  Is God threatened by the nations of the earth, or is He unsettled and fearful of the governments and how they conspire against His people?  Please.  Not a chance.

In our Saviour Jesus Christ we have a place of refuge, and when we sanctify Him in our hearts and look to Him in reliance we will not be afraid or unsettled.  Should adopted children of the King waste effort in unbelief, lamenting "cover ups" or boasting over hidden truth which has nothing to do with Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life?  This world is in a hopeless state, yet followers of Jesus who are in the world are not of the world.  We are not at the mercy of this world or our enemies; we will not go as the world goes and can lead others to THE Truth, Jesus Christ received through faith.  May the LORD be our fear and dread, not schemes or plots of men.  He has promised those deemed righteous by faith and their posterity will be delivered.  Praise God who can keep such promises.  Is there any greater than our God?

Grace Isn't Fair

From a young age in varying degrees we all have a sense of what is right, wrong, and fair.  It is this third parameter which we can hold in greatest esteem.  We may break the rules or even the law because we believe it is unfair.  People who have uttered the words, "Life isn't fair!" in response to someone saying "That isn't fair" still have a sense of fairness they appeal to when it suits them.

I love how God's grace trumps "fair" every time.  There is a parable Jesus told where the people in it protested against the king's wisdom and generosity.  In Luke 19, Jesus spoke of a man who gave an equal amount of money (a mina) to 10 of his servants (sounds fair).  After being crowned king, he returned and interviewed each of his servants concerning how successful they had been in conducting business.  One man had gained 10 minas with only one to start, and another man gained five.  There was one servant, however, who had buried the mina in the ground and said, "Here is your money."

The king chastised his wicked servant for being so foolish, for he should had kept the money in the bank and at least generated interest.  Luke 19:24-25 says, "And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.' ²⁵ (But they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas.')"  Those who stood by questioned the king's decision, as it didn't seem fair to give the mina to the man who had the most.  But if you were master, who would you want investing your money?  The one who buried it in the ground, the one who gained 5, or the one who gained 10?  The one who gained 10, of course!  The master knew exactly what he was giving and why he was giving it to his good and faithful servant.  He was gracious to give a mina to a servant he knew was wicked.

Then Jesus delivered the parable's punchline for our application in Luke 19:26:  "For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."  This may not seem fair, but it is righteous and gracious for God to reward His faithful servants.  The lives of unbelievers and all they acquire will be lost forever, but it is God's good pleasure to give believers eternal life and the kingdom (Luke 12:32).  This isn't fair by any means, of course, but all of grace.  What a privilege and responsibility we have in serving our King!