They watched Him, who is watching You?
Luke 14: 1 ¶ And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
So, as usual, in the earthly ministry of Jesus, people were watching his every move. Would He break with tradition, or worse yet, their limited understanding of the Word of God?
Sure enough, often on purpose, Jesus loved to mess with their mess, and live outside of their mental boxes, of what they thought God in the flesh could look like.
Well, I have some good news for you. People, especially religious people, would love to keep you in check through the tyranny of tradition and unspoken rules, that, if you get in touch with the living God; you, like Jesus, will have to break. Often on purpose!
Why? To be obnoxious, and to rebel against the status quo? No, to be effective disciple.
Reminds me of a custom liscence plate, I saw on a beautiful Hummer in front of me at a red light, that caused me to break out laughing. It read: ‘BOW UP!’. Now, for those of you in other countries, that do not understand red neck righteousness, or colloquial American terminology, the term ‘BOW UP’ means to rebel, to reject the status quo, to break out of the box.
Now, real rebellion and hardness of heart tends to anarchy, and this was not the message I received from that liscence plate. Nope, that person had a beautiful ride, on a bright sunny day, perhaps they were a combat veteran, and the message I received from that plate was: Be strong, be honorable, be honest, but do not bow down to complacency, compromise, or the mere status quo. Chickens travel in flocks, eagles can soar alone, while their lifelong mates tend the nest.
The person in that Hummer was a leader, and I hope, an honorable one.
Mt 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
My definition of meek, is ‘strength under pressure’ Like my picture of an egg in a vice? That bench vise is made of case hardened steel, and can easily crush the egg in its jaws, but because its character is meek, not weak, it carefully holds the egg without crushing it.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
We should be as strong as that vise, yet gentle. Holding delicate things like the hearts of our wives and children with tenderness and tears, but strong enough to crush rocks or hold on a God given vision, with unbreakable force.
The man of God gives his anger, frustration and tears to God, and can say, like king David:
2Sa 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
Then, by the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and the love of God:
Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Wives are loved and confident around him. Children run into his safe strong arms for hugs, because deep in their hearts, they know he will never hurt them, secure that his great strength is given by God to work, and to protect them.
Strong leaders, continually grow in strength, both physically, mentally, and spiritually, not so that they can merely strut their stuff, but to be an example to those they are called to lead. When we serve, it is not because we have no power or authority, in fact it takes more strength to serve, than to dominate or control a situation.
2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
Luke 22: 24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
One of the things we need to forsake, is concern about what other people might think.
There are clearly times, when we need to assault their stinkin thinking, control tactics, and limited understanding of what God may be saying to us. They are watching, and God is moving and though people may not understand fully why we are doing things the way we are at present, as Holy Spirit is teaching us obedience.
Yet, when we fully obey God, walking in love in truth, though we offend them today in moving outside of their mental box, God is faithful, and we may well be of some use to them in years to come.
Let’s pray:
‘Father, speak to me, grow me, strengthen me, and make me strong in you Lord, and the power of your might. Gentle, tender, wise, with rock crushing strength, viselike in my ability to clearly grasp, maintain, and stand upon your specific vision and mandate for my life and family. Give me courage to think, speak,and act outside of societies box, in accordance with your Word and you Holy Spirit, that I might be the example of red hot, radical obedience, this generation desperately needs. In your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!
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