In my walk through the bible this week, I paused for a while at Psalm 23.
It’s a wonderful picture of David’s song or recital of the Lord’s care for him. We now as Jesus’ followers possess it as our own status as children of God, relishing in all of its benefits. Let’s “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)
It’s comforting to know the Lord as our Shepherd, someone we can depend upon to tend to us and guide us in a safe direction.
Because we have him, there’s nothing we truly lack. There may be personal desires, but he supplies all our needs. He is not lacking in any provision, so there is no need to fret. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:31-33: “…do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
The pastures the Lord makes us lie down in are green, which signifies a place of life and abundance, and the waters he leads us beside are still and peaceful. The fact that he refreshes our souls tells us he revives or restores us; he gives us the strength that we need from day to day. Not only that, but he also guides us on safe paths; we don’t have to go it alone, for his name’s sake–not just for ours. He’s an awesome manager and tender of his flock.
Though we may walk through darkened or gloomy places, we don’t fear evil, because he is with us, and as stated in Hebrews 13:5, promises never to “leave or forsake us.” I imagine a perfect shepherd walking with his sheep and a wolf approaching to harm them. It would not be good for that wolf, as our Shepherd carries a rod and a staff which comforts us.
The rod is used to protect against predators, and as a symbol of authority, also used to correct and guide the sheep. The staff with its hook on the end is to safeguard the sheep, moving and directing the sheep at the shepherd’s will. These tools provide security for the sheep.
It’s interesting that though Jesus our great shepherd is a male, there are female shepherds in the bible. Genesis 29:9 describes Laban’s daughter, later Jacob’s wife, Rachel, as a shepherd of her father’s sheep. Not to mention Exodus 2:16-21, where Zipporah (given to Moses as a wife) and her sisters, tended their father’s sheep, watering them, but were harassed by other shepherds, after which Moses rescued them and watered their sheep.
Not only does this perfect shepherd protect us from our enemies, but he prepares a table for the sheep in the presence of our enemies. This among other things could signify an abundant feast of victory or blessings for the sheep that one’s enemies can actually view.
Moreover, we are blessed to be anointed with oil, not just oil, but overflowing oil that covers our heads. Of course, oil signifies God’s Holy Spirit and may also be seen as His divine appointment.
With all of this we are assured of his goodness and mercy that follow, pursue, track, or accompany us all the days of our lives. What’s more, we reside in the Lord’s house; God’s presence, his church, temple, kingdom or gathering of his children, eternally.
So please remember today, that having such a great shepherd in the Lord Jesus Christ is an awesome privilege for which we should be eternally grateful. Life for us in His care is truly awesome!
At least five years ago, I thought something to myself that I had no idea Jesus would address. I thought to myself, “How would Jesus appear today, on the earth? What exactly would he wear, and where would he go?” The very next night, if not that same night, I had a very vivid dream.
I was in what looked like a welcome center of a modern church. There were at least about 20 people in the area and they were all talking to one another, with one specific group of about six people surrounding one person. I slowly walked over to them to see if I could catch a glimpse of that person and recognized a very strong, and tangible, anointing. The closer I got to that one person, the more each person around him walked away until I stood face to face with a young man who I knew was Jesus Christ of Nazareth in modern-day attire. There was no question as the anointing was so powerful. I could not believe my eyes.
Was I really standing before the Son of God in very casual street clothes? If my memory serves me correctly, He had on a light blue, buttoned-down, striped shirt with loose-fitting blue jeans–very casual. I didn’t notice his shoes, at least I don’t even think I saw them.
Now I believe Jesus can look any way he wants to look and can change his appearance if He desires, but the first thing I thought was how young He looked. I often imagine him looking closer to 40, but he looked like he was in his late 20s or early 30s. He appeared to be about 5 feet 10 inches tall, as it appeared I was looking directly into his face. He had a fairly long nose and almond-shaped eyes, with an olive-toned complexion. The thing that stood out most to me was his hair. It was reddish brown, full, and had large layered curls. I remember thinking he had hair that looked like he’d been to a salon. It was so perfect, it actually reminded me of a woman’s hair. However, I’ve seen some Italian men with this same kind of hair. It was not long but was not super short either–about 2.5 inches long.
As time has passed it is very hard to remember the Lord’s exact facial features, but the closest likenesses I’ve been able to find would be a combination of these two photos:
I was so nervous to even look at him as I kept thinking of who He actually was. It seemed I’d lost all sense of the English language. Surely He would see everything about me from birth: the good, the bad, and the ugly. How could I even look so easily into His holy face? I could barely get out so foolishly, “I can do something for you?” “Ugh, I thought, that didn’t come out right!” And he answered very calmly, “It’s already been done.” “Huh? Already been done?” This was not the answer I was expecting. What did he mean already been done? His death and resurrection? Was that it? I know that’s a lot, but I was referring to me. What did I need to do? Surely there was something He needed me to do. I mean I’ve done some things in my life, but nothing compared to what I think He must prefer me to do. And now I’m hearing it’s already been done?
He then proceeded to walk over to an empty table that was white and looked exactly like a school lunch table. There sitting alone was an older man who looked anywhere from 70 to 80 years of age. He looked very disheveled, maybe homeless, and very depressed. I’ll never forget how he looked so sad and broken and no one sat with him or talked to him. Jesus went over and was just about to sit with him when my dream ended. I thought, “That would be Jesus, always caring and compassionate toward those we might least think to engage first.”
I still think of this dream from time to time and upon trying to make some sense of Jesus’ words, I remembered John 6:28-29: Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” This always baffles my brain as I feel like God is worthy of so much from us. Nevertheless, I fall short of delivering all that He deserves, but will continue to praise Him for all He is and all He does.
Now it’s obvious the Bible has given us all kinds of teachings regarding God’s standards for Christian living as born-again believers, as well as the consequences of sin. Yet we still have the privilege of the remarkable scriptural realities that:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” (Romans 11:6)
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
In addition, I’d be wise to remember:
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,..” (Titus 2:11-12)
“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” (Romans 2:13)
“You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:18)
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” (Romans 6:22)
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13)
“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” (1 Peter 2:16)
God is so good that He is ever compassionate, merciful, and kind. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)
I thought this week how awesome it is to be viewed by God as blameless. I understand this word to be defined as someone who can’t be accused of doing wrong or who walks faithfully with God.
Its Hebrew word is tamiym, meaning without defect, innocent, guiltless, or inculpable. Also, naive, whole, honest, and simple. The Greek word is amemptos, which is free from fault or defect, or without blame.
We know the stories. These are some people who God described as blameless: Noah (Genesis 6:9), Job (Job 1:1), David (2 Samuel 22:21–26), and Elizabeth and Zechariah (Luke 1:5-7). David was even described as a man after God’s own heart. These folks were human, as we all are, yet they possessed the qualities of a blameless person.
We know Noah as the man God tasked with the job of building a huge ark as protection from a massive flood that would overtake the earth.
Job was the man whom God highlighted to Satan regarding his impeccable character. Yet he was tested and lost everything he had, but remained faithful to God, later receiving even more than was lost.
Then there is David, who among other things, was a committed worshipper of God, full of faith in God’s word and protection.
Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron, and Zechariah, a Levitical priest. Elizabeth and Zechariah were a couple who were faithful to God and prayed for many years to have a child. However, they weren’t able until God blessed them with a son, named John, a great prophet who would preach about Jesus Christ, the Son of God to make people ready to receive Him.
What I’ve gleaned from reading about these blameless people of faith and commitment is that they were rewarded with great blessings from the Lord for their obedience.
God saved Noah and his family from the horrendously destructive flood, made his family fruitful, and received Noah’s worship, restoring God-fearing worship to the people of the earth.
David reigned as king of Judah and Israel for 40 years. He was a powerful and successful military leader, who had a son named Solomon who is described as the wisest man of the bible.
Elizabeth and Zechariah, after the angel Gabriel’s visit and message, and many years of prayer, finally received the baby they had prayed for–though naturally–Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and the King James version of the Bible describes them both as “very old.”
Fast forward to today, as those who choose to love the Lord, we have some scriptures we can faithfully hold close, as we await meeting Jesus face to face:
“He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)
“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:14)
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.” (1 John 4:17)
Amen! Let’s study the bible to find out what Jesus looks like and make the effort stated, to be found blameless in His sight.
“Down through the years, I turned to the Bible and found in it all that I needed.” ― Ruth Bell Graham
Life is good and life is wonderful, but as we’ve probably learned, a godly life does not totally exempt us from challenges or problems.
Thankfully, our difficulties help allow us to experience God as our refuge and deliverer from the temptations, trials, and troubles that seek to make us fearful and ashamed. Just as Jesus received God’s deliverance from the devil’s temptations with the speaking of our Father’s scriptures, we can also do the same. What’s good is Jesus was ministered to afterward as often we are. This confirms that God is not far from us and His power is great.
Lovingly, He has provided us with His scriptural warnings so that we are helped more than hurt when life gets tough. Proverbs 26:24-28 is a passage of warning that presents a disturbing reality of the deception of those who pretend to be our friends but are not:
“Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts, they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it: if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
These words weren’t written to be scary or negative, but in love to warn God’s people of the craftiness of deception. Deception is not easily seen as it is masked. Therefore, don’t expect it to be openly recognizable. It looks and sounds wonderful and accommodating. However, we need the Lord’s discernment working in us to detect that which is not obvious and well hidden.
Deception is real and can be discerned by the Holy Spirit through our own spirits and through the study of the Bible. Yet sometimes we choose not to trust our discernment, but believe the lie for any number of reasons. May God give us the courage to use the wisdom He’s given us to adjust our lives accordingly.
The Christian life has many blessings. However, there are those things we must be warned about that can be harmful to us if disregarded. God has warned us of these issues in Scripture. So we must not forget His instructions as they serve to protect us from unnecessary trouble.
There are many warnings given to us in the Old and New Testaments of the bible. A few of them:
Forgetting God – Deuteronomy 8:10-20
Foolishness – Proverbs 6:1-19
Adultery – Proverbs 6:20-35
Adulterous Woman – Proverbs 7:1-27
Trusting in Riches – Proverbs 11:28
Hypocrisy – Matthew 6:1
Unforgiveness – Matthew 6:15
Worry – Matthew 6:25
False Prophets – Matthew 7:15
Teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees – Matthew 16:12
Deception – Matthew 24:4
False Christs – Luke 21:8
Spiritual Drunkenness – Luke 21:34
False Doctrine – Romans 16:17
Consequences of Evil Deeds – 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Unwise Living – Ephesians 5:15
Lukewarm Christianity – Revelation 3:15-19
Warnings help to keep us from spiritually or physically injuring ourselves. We need them to keep us on the narrow path toward heaven. Whether we get these warnings through the Bible, the Holy Spirit’s promptings, or a God-fearing friend, we should appreciate them. They are not meant to harm us though sometimes we may feel uncomfortable receiving them. Also, we show love when we care enough to caution to others.
In any event, Jesus reminds us that nothing hidden will remain secret. So we can trust the faithfulness of His Holy Spirit to “lead us into all truth.” (John 16:13)
“Where can peace be found? All I want is peace!” No doubt, this is the cry of many hearts in this day and age. With all the clamor of the day’s troubles and unrest amidst mass shootings, weather disasters, food recalls, job layoffs, pestilences, scandals, etc., peace is what we all want.
Achieving a level of peace where there is no worry for what each day may bring is available to those of us willing to humble ourselves to accept the solution. He is described in the Bible as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). His peace is not like the peace we find in this world. His is a supernatural peace that far surpasses what we can manufacture.
God’s peace is one fruit of the Holy Spirit freely given to men to enjoy. We know peace on earth to be freedom from disturbance or calmness. However, God’s supernatural peace provides this calm even in the presence of disturbance or trouble.
We who accept and love the Son of God, Jesus Christ, have peace with the Father, God. This peace was declared in Luke 2:14, “… on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Then when Jesus left the earth for heaven, He stated, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
Therefore, we can put our confidence in the fact that, per Philippians 4:6-7, if we determine not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God; the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
We should ask ourselves if we truly have the peace we desire in our lives. If not, we should simply ask the Lord for it. We should study our bibles to remind ourselves of His promises regarding peace as well as be aware of those things that rob us of it. We should be watchful as our enemy loves to lie, manipulate, and cause stress at every turn of our stories’ pages.
So we must seek and allow the Lord’s authorship of our stories, freely relinquishing all to His care, trusting Him to fulfill His promise of peace to us. His ways most certainly won’t fully be our ways, as His kingdom is not of this world. However, we can even ask for help with this, that we would trust His ways for us are just and secure though we may not always understand them.
I’m thankful for the Lord’s grace in providing us with His teachings on wisdom and the blessings and consequences of accepting or rejecting them. We see in the book of Proverbs many references to wisdom and its effect on those who evade, or walk, in it.
One reference stands out to me: “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” (Proverbs 1:32-33) I remind myself that I actually believe these verses of scripture, or I don’t.
I’m imagining those times when a parent may tell their little one not to do something. Yet at their child’s own desire, they proceed to do the very opposite only to find the results to be painful. Most parents, of course, then feel some measure of sadness but are quick to remind their children “I told you so.”
When Proverbs 1:32-33 talks about waywardness in Hebrew, it is defined as away, as in going away or backsliding. Complacency is described as tranquility, all is good (when it really isn’t), no concern for harm, and carelessness.
Sometimes, offense, grief, the lust of our eyes, or the pride of life may cause us to act out in unhealthy ways to appease our own selfish cravings. Not stoking the fires of our passions toward the Lord’s will for us can cause us to lean more toward carnality and worldly desires.
We must seek the Lord’s help in prayer, and welcome encouragement from the Body of Christ, a huge help for us.
Moreover, safety is defined as security, peace, quiet, comfort, and confidence, while harm is defined as damage, injury, and loss. Most of us would welcome the former over the latter results. So, this passage provides a clear explanation of the outcome of embracing or ignoring wisdom.
At certain points in our lives, we all experience wisdom’s call in navigating various circumstances. Nevertheless, sometimes we refuse to listen and disregard the advice given. The Bible tells us the results can be disaster, calamity, distress, and just plain trouble. This is described scripturally as hating knowledge and choosing not to fear the Lord. Ignoring the Lord’s advice, which is His help, we incur the fruit of our own wrong choices.
As the Lord makes His teachings available to us, and we decide to disregard His instructions, we are admonished to pay attention, and repent, and He will pour out His thoughts to us (Proverbs 1:23).
Chapters 2 and 3 of the book of Proverbs provide the benefits and well-being of receiving and living in God’s wisdom: success, protection, understanding, health, peace, prosperity, and long life.
It is to our great advantage to keep wisdom, understanding, sound judgment, and discretion before us. These things are important because they are life for us. When we are wise, we inherit honor, but fools get only shame.
More reading: Psalm 25:12; Psalm 112:1-8; Proverbs 1:20-31
Though I am grateful for all of the ways the Lord continues to provide financial abundance to His people, I’m reminded to embrace His perspective on the value of money. Almighty God who has all power and authority understands well what’s most important as relates to resources for His children. He has promised throughout the Bible to take good care of His own and encourages us not to worry about things such as what we’ll eat or wear.
Knowing who God is as much as we are able, should help us to feel a great measure of confidence in His care for us, as His children. He knows our propensity towards greed and misunderstanding of what is most important in our lives. As such, He tells us in Matthew 6:19-24 not to store up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where those things can’t reach them.
He also tells us that where our treasure is, our heart will be also. So one thing we can gather from this is our focus will be on where we’ve placed our treasure. Is it on heaven or earth?
The Lord goes on in this passage to remind us of the importance of our eyes as they are the lamp to our bodies and their health will determine the health of our body. How and what are we seeing: darkness or light? Are we discerning who we are actually valuing most: money or God? I have to ask myself this question often. We’re reminded we can’t serve both (which I’ve sometimes been inclined to wonder why not?) God answers we will be devoted to one over the other. If we have two masters, one will get more attention than the other. One will be loved more than the other. Same with God and money.
I asked God what it actually means to serve money, and He immediately led me to Luke 12:21: “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” This was the result of the parable of the rich fool in Luke 21, who had such an abundant harvest thought, that he had no place to store his crops. So, after reaching a great increase, he’d tear down barns he had, build larger ones, then after years of great increase relax, eat, drink, and be merry–yet only to die unexpectedly.
So, it is to our advantage to remember that “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” It may not be held as the most popular wisdom of today, but Jesus warned us in Luke 12:15, to “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Thankfully, God has also provided wisdom in his word about saving money and how one should give:
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” (Proverbs 13:11)
“Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up…” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.” (2 Corinthians 8:12-13)
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
Though people within and outside the Body of Christ have debated long, with scriptures, over the paying of tithes today, we see that God has a great love for His church and we should be willing to support it.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)
““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”(Mark 12:41-44)
Another observation I’ve made in scripture regarding giving is God’s strong passion for poor people:
“Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12-14)
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (Proverbs 14:31)
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. (Proverbs 28:27)
In any event, God has given us many teachings on money and perhaps one of my favorite verses on it is, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) This means we’re set and don’t really have a care in the world. The Creator of heaven and earth is with us. We simply have to believe it!
Now I must mention that in this day and age, as was in the past, there are many charlatans, false prophets, and wolves in sheep’s clothing who use methods of intimidation, manipulation, and deception to steal from God’s people. However, again, remembering who is with us, listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice, and availing ourselves of God’s wisdom and knowledge through prayer and Bible study, will keep us in the way of truth.
In this, I’m also reminded of Matthew 23:1-3: “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” Reading this, it may be that we have some questionable leaders sitting in Moses’ seat in our churches. However, even when giving to God via those who may be hypocrites, as we receive the authentic word of God’s Bible from them, He will reward our actions of obedience.
In our giving we can rest assured that according to 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, “…he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
Our aim is a simple instruction in Luke 6:38: “Give and it will be given unto you pressed down shaken together and running over will men give unto your bosom.”
To all of this, my reply would be, Lord, “turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” (Psalm 119:36)
On occasion, I’ll sit and ask myself if I really understand what Jesus has provided for me and what He intends for my life. I often get the sense that there is so much more in store for me and the family of God than we can ever imagine. The joy I get from meditating on the lavish unselfishness of His provision is indescribable.
Unfortunately, per John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” Yet graciously, Jesus came “that we might have life and have it to the full.” This wonderful verse gives us greater insight into God’s generous desire for our existence. He came not only that we’d have life, but to have it wholly.
This reminds me that his commands aren’t given to steal our joy, kill our happiness, or destroy our peace. That’s the thief’s work, so we shouldn’t assign it to our Lord and Savior. Jesus has brought great fulfillment to our lives as only He can, and develops us into the family He desires.
Now of course, according to Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin is death” and sometimes, our unwise and sinful choices can open doors for our adversary to wreak havoc in our lives. However, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The Bible tells us that, in Jesus, was life, “and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:4). Further, Jesus tells us “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. …” (John 11:25-26).
Therefore, Jesus is the one to whom we offer our gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise for all the great things He has done and continues to do for us.
We have truly been blessed with bountiful life and should not forget all of the Lord’s benefits written in Psalm 103:3-5: “Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”
How comforting to know that “He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” We can rest in knowing that “… as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him… .” (Psalm 103:10-11)
Now as far as our enemy is concerned, he has been handled as well. Jesus told the disciples in Luke 10:18-19 that He “saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning” and that Jesus had given them “authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy” and that nothing would harm them. Dedicated followers of Jesus are his disciples today.
Even when we experience the trials of living in a sinful world, 2 Peter 2:9 assures us that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.” Also, we know from James 1:2-3, that we can face trials with joy as we know that “the testing of our faith produces perseverance.” Not to mention, the Bible’s Old Testament tells us: “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” (Proverbs 24:16) Nevertheless, it’s okay to ask for help getting back up.
So with all glory being given to Jesus, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 comes to mind: “So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” Now if that isn’t abundant life, I don’t know what is!
There’s no doubt we need the Lord’s instructions and His Holy Spirit’s power working through us to be successful in loving our enemies. Yet we may need help in identifying our enemies and determining our level of communication with them. Are they believers we define as difficult or carnal, or are they unbelievers who don’t know God at all?
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I’m reminded of the unbelievers we’re told not to be yoked together with as shown in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?
For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them, and walk among them and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
However, we’re instructed in Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Though we may gather doing good to an enemy does not necessarily mean being yoked together, or in a binding relationship with them, loving our enemies is our response to those who offend us and our way of life or faith–a part of living the Christian lifestyle.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 continues with: “Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. And, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Then Chapter 7, follows with: “…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Nevertheless, we have the Lord’s direction in John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Also, we’re told in Luke 6:27-28: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
So, though we should not forget that we are justified by faith in Jesus, apart from the works of the law, at the same time, we must understand we still have some responsibility and effort to maintain Christlike behavior in our lives. 1 Peter 1:15 reminds us that: “… just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
One part of this being holy entails loving our enemies, those who oppose us and possibly even want to harm us or see us fail. This could be someone we don’t know personally or someone we know very well. It may be someone who knows nothing of Jesus and the Bible, or someone who knows much about the Bible but interprets it differently than they should. Or, one who sees no real value in its contents.
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In any event, we must show respect for them as fellow humans who Christ died for and pray for them. This is loving them. It does not mean we are to walk closely with them as the Bible warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Further, in dealing with even those who profess to be Christians, but practice hypocrisy, Jesus tells us we are to “guard against the yeast of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1)… .” This included self-righteousness, doing to be seen, not practicing what they preached, neglecting justice, mercy and faithfulness, greed, and self-indulgence.
Another important verse to note is Galatians 6:1, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Each time we encounter an enemy, we should pray to our heavenly Father specifically about how to communicate with them if at all. It may be that we are to remain quiet. Relying on the Holy Spirit and what He shows us in His word about loving an enemy, and obeying Him, may result in our enemy experiencing the Holy Spirit’s fruit of God’s love in us. If he or she does not recognize it as love, they will surely recognize it as being different from the world.
First, I’d like to preface the following paragraphs with the fact that I love Jesus from the whitest white to the darkest black skin color. However, that doesn’t stop me from seriously wondering what he actually looked like.
There’s nothing wrong with pondering the appearance of someone with whom we are so close. I’m certainly willing to wait with patience to see Him face to face, but having some frame of reference as to my Savior’s appearance is for sure a strong desire. I wonder about those practical characteristics like his height, build, skin and hair color, eye shape, hair texture, etc.
Isaiah 53:2/NIV of the Bible describes Jesus as having “no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” So this suggests to me that He wasn’t what you would describe as attractive or good-looking, though no doubt He was the sweetest person who ever lived. His personality must have been very humble and compassionate, especially since verse 3 goes on to tell us “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”
John of Revelation 1:9-18 describes an event when he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day and he heard behind him a loud voice that told him to write on a scroll what he saw and to send it to the seven churches. He described seeing “someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” He told John “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Isn’t that an amazing event to imagine? The risen Jesus went on to tell him to write what John had seen and what would take place later.
Josephus, a highly educated man, born into a wealthy family, the son of a Jewish priest, who grew up in Jerusalem, was appointed a military governor of Galilee, and later became a Roman citizen and was referred to as Flavius Josephus. In one of his works, The Antiquities of the Jews (Book 18, Chapter 3), he wrote of Jesus: ““About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Christ. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.”
One description of Jesus, according to the “Slavonic Josephus,” a translation of Josephus’ History of the Jewish War; The Messiah Jesus and John the Baptist According to Flavius Josephus; Robert Eisler, Ph.D.:“Both his nature and his form were human: for he was a man of simple appearance, mature age, short growth, three cubits tall [about 4 and a half feet, based on the Jewish cubit], with scanty hair, but having a line in the middle of the head after the fashion of the Naziraeans, eyebrows meeting above the nose so that the spectators could take fright, with a long face, a long nose, and with an undeveloped beard, dark skin, and hunchbacked. …”
Another description of Jesus is from The Letter of Lentulus, which was said to be written by a Roman, contemporary of Jesus, and gives a physical and personal description of Jesus: “Lentulus, the Governor of the Jerusalemites to the Roman Senate and People, greetings. There has appeared in our times, and there still lives, a man of great power (virtue), called Jesus Christ.
The people call him prophet of truth; his disciples, son of God. He raises the dead, and heals infirmities. He is a man of medium size (statura procerus, mediocris et spectabilis); he has a venerable aspect, and his beholders can both fear and love him. His hair is of the colour of the ripe hazel-nut, straight down to the ears, but below the ears wavy and curled, with a bluish and bright reflection, flowing over his shoulders. It is parted in two on the top of the head, after the pattern of the Nazarenes.
His brow is smooth and very cheerful with a face without wrinkle or spot, embellished by a slightly reddish complexion. His nose and mouth are faultless. His beard is abundant, of the colour of his hair, not long, but divided at the chin. His aspect is simple and mature, his eyes are blue-gray and bright. He is terrible in his reprimands, sweet and amiable in his admonitions, cheerful without loss of gravity. He was never known to laugh, but often to weep. His stature is straight, his hands and arms beautiful to behold. His conversation is grave, infrequent, and modest. He is the most beautiful among the children of men.”
Now only God knows the level of accuracy of these descriptions, however, they are an interesting read. Nevertheless, I can’t help but think of the angel in Acts 1:11 who spoke to his disciples as Jesus was taken up on a cloud into heaven after his death and resurrection: “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
So we can expect from the Bible’s signs of the end times, that we will see Him soon and will no longer have to wonder what he looks like. Of course, many believe that it does not matter what He looks like, but one like me can’t help but wonder what the author and finisher of my faith looks like. It is indeed a valid question.
Two other events remind me that Jesus can change his appearance.
Matthew 17:1-3:“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.”
Luke 24:13-51:“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
…. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
It may be interesting to read the writings or interpretations of others’ information on Jesus’ appearance, however, we should never forget that the Bible tells us we all descended from one man, Adam, created by God Almighty. So, there are no worries about how we are connected. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, birthed by a woman, was born of the Holy Ghost–that same Spirit by which we as Christians were spiritually reborn to become a part of the family of God.
To see other thought-provoking, differing ideas on what Jesus may look like, I’ve added a few videos for your viewing.
Ms. Rita's Minute 