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The Christ of the Gospels I recently watched a Mark Lowry video, where he asked, "Have you ever read the red print in the bible?" That's a good question. Quite often we concentrate on the epistles to form our theology and defend our doctrine while forgetting the Christ of the gospels. Acts 10:38 tells us that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. When Jesus spoke, people listened. Even those who sought to kill Him admitted that, "Never a man spake like this man (John 7:46; Luke 4:22). John, speaking of his gospel in John 20:31, tells us: John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. When we read the gospels, it does change our frame of reference as we see God in action going about seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10). We see the Good Shepherd, searching for the one lost sheep and rejoicing when he has been returned to the fold (Luke 15:1-7). We see the compassionate Christ who never condemned anyone except religious pretenders (Matthew 16:3) and those who merchandised religion (Matthew 21:13). I think He still gets upset about these two things today. Perhaps you feell like blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46), who sat begging by the side of the road as a great crowd, full of religious emotion, passed by. He probably didn't feel all that emotional, but he knew that he had a need and that the One who could fix the problem was passing by. He cried out,"Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Whatever you problem may be, the noise of the crowd will never stop Jesus from hearing your cry (Isaiah 50:4). He will hear and answer you, just as He did Bartimaeus. Some of us might identify with the woman at the well? - Jn 4:1-26 - She had certainly been around the block a time or two. She was shunned by the "respectable" woman of the town. She had been married five times and was presently living with a man to whom she was not married. In spite of her past and her faulty understanding, we see that deep down she had a longing for the Messiah. Jesus didn't condone or minimize her failures, but He did promise her a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14). Perhaps you feel like the woman of Luke 13:10-13 - who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. She was bowed over and could not stand straight. She has probably tried every medical remedy possible to no avail. Just a few words from the Master, "Woman thou art loosed," took care of the situation. Just as Jesus was aware of this women's spiritual condition that affected her health, He is also aware or ours. He is ever willing to save, heal and deliver. We read in Jn. 8:1-11 of the woman taken in adultery. Once again, rather than condemn Jesus spoke words of life, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Regardless of our past or present situation, Jesus always speaks life rather than death. Remember the woman with the issue of blood? - Mt. 9:20-22. She had been afflicted for twelve years and spent all that she had on the doctors, to no avail. She was obviously in a very frail condition. Her condition kept her out of the temple or synagogue and isolated from folks around her. One day she heard that Jesus was passing by. She rallied herself to get up and press through the crowd on her hands and knees determined to simply touch the hem of the Master's garment. Jesus was well aware that someone had summoned the faith to touch Him. The healing virtue went from his body to her's and she was healed. That virtue is still flowing today and is available to anyone who will cry out to Him. ,b>Do you identify with any of these people? I do! It hurts to be set aside and discounted by others. It is agonizing to have a lingering medical problem from which we can't find relief. We get a bit jaded and distrustful of trusting others for fear of being hurt again. Sometimes our zeal wanes when our friends disappoint and forsake us. We also sometimes hurt others ourselves, but Jesus said He would never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and to go with us even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). John 13:1 ¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. Jesus endured the cross while those who were close to Him stood afar off and even denied Him. Peter, after denying the Lord was very disconsolate and yet after the resurrection we read of Jesus reaching out to Peter and the other disciples, with a promise to meet them again in Galilee. So much for holding a grudge, eh? Mark 16:7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Perhaps you feel that because of failing Him, you have no hope? Perhaps your flame is barely flickering. Take heart, Jesus knows all about it. He will not quench the smoking flax or break a bent reed. Isaiah 42:1 ¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.. Friend, whatever the problem is, simply tell it to Jesus. He was tempted in every way that we are tempted and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He is our faithful and merciful High Priest (Hebrews 4:15). He is pulling for us and intercedes for us at the throne of God (Romans 8:27). He and He alone determines our salvation. He is listening for our call. Revelation 1:18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Links relating to this devotional: See Our: Thoughts on The Life of Christ. Song: I'll Never Cease to Tell the Old Story Dialup MP3 Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@about-him.com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe@about-him.com
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