Friday, December 30, 2011

Crowns? For Me? And You?

CROWNS? FOR ME? AND YOU?
You may remember in the Gospel Jesus mentioned that we should seek treasure that is unable to be eaten by moths or stolen by thieves, and I would like to touch on some of that treasure.  Most people recognize crowns as a form of treasure, so let's look in the bible and see how many crowns it is possible to collect; coming with me?
Our first crown is an incorruptible one!  "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible." (1 Cor. 9:25)

Then there's a crown of rejoicing! "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy." (1 Thess. 2:19 - 20)

Then there's a crown of righteousness, available to everone loving the coming of Christ! "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." (2 Tim. 4:8)

Faithful church leaders have a crown coming to them, too!  "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Pet. 5:2 - 4)

Can you imagine a crown so easy to acquire, for loving the Lord?  "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." (James 1:12)  Let us remember, now, that God equates love with obedience! This very same crown is mentioned again in Revelation! "
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Rev. 2:10)

So now you know about these crowns available to you. Some are easy to obtain, some take work, and others perserverance, but let us show ambition, for the Lord is our greatest prize!  Let us collect as many as we are able!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Biblical Esoterics - Firsts, Repeats, and Unusual Oddities

BIBLE ESOTERICS - FIRSTS, REPEATS, AND UNUSUAL ODDITIES

The Only Queen Of Judah, Athaliah - "And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land." (2 Kings 11:1 - 3) Imagine having a murderous queen for your ruler, one who killed all her grandchildren (or so she thought). She is the only ruler ordered killed by a priest, and the grandchild she miscounted in her killing spree ruled in her stead.
The Youngest King In Jerusalem - Jehoash - "And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house. Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign." (2 Kings 11:20 - 21) What a start this young man had! Imagine your Grandmother killing all your siblings, but you survive, thanks to your Aunt, and you are hidden until you are seven years old, then your ruling Grandmother is killed by order of the priest on the same day he makes you king. Can you imagine telling THAT story to your kids on your knee?

Though a minor prophet, Jonah's story is rather popular. He's the only man in the bible swallowed by a fish and spit back out!  It's practically 1/3rd of the book of Jonah.

Resurrections - The first to resurrect anyone by God's power was Elijah; "And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, 'What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? Art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?' And he said unto her, 'Give me thy son.' And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the LORD, and said, 'O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?' And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, 'O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.' And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived." (1 Kings 17:17 - 22) In 2 Kings 4:18 - 37 it has Elisha raising a Shunammite boy from the dead. and so we have a second resurrection, but there's more! Elisha wasn't done, even though dead! "And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet." (2 Kings 13:20 - 21). These three are of the Old Testament; now let's look at more in the New; the first was Jairus' daughter. "While He yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, 'Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?' As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, 'Be not afraid, only believe.' And He suffered no man to follow Him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And He cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when He was come in, He saith unto them, 'Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth." And they laughed Him to scorn. But when He had put them all out, He taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with Him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And He took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, 'Talitha cumi'; which is, being interpreted, 'Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.' And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years." (Mark 5:35 - 42). The next is Lazarus, many Christians are familiar with this story in John 11:1 - 44. Four days dead, yet he rose at Jesus' call. Few people may recall this multiple resurrection, though; "Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." (Matt. 27:50 - 53) Then, of course, we all believe in Jesus' resurrection who clai to be Christian, but there was another after His. In Acts 9:36 - 41, Peter used the power of the Lord to raise Dorcas, or Tabitha, from the dead. This is the last resurrection of the historical recordings of the bible.

Raptures Before The Big Rapture To Come - Two people went to heaven without dying in the Old Testament; the first was Enoch. "And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." (Gen. 5:23 - 24) The second was Elijah. "And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, 'My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.' And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces." (2 Kings 2:11 - 12)

Terminal Attack Of Worms - After reading this passage of Scripture, one would be counted wise to give God His glory EVERY time! "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." (Acts 12:21 - 23) Imagine having an attack of worms so suddenly that you die? Gruesome way to go, yes?

Heavenly Transport - Long before Star Trek showed us a transporter that could "beam" people from one place to another, it appears The Lord already had that feat accomplished. How incredible it must've been for Philip! "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea." (Acts 8:38 - 40).

Jeremiah's Version Of The Christmas Tree - See if this describes the Christmas tree of days before the fake ones bought in stores today; "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." (Jer. 10:2 - 5) This version of the Christmas tree seems to be about foolish idolatry.

The Flash Of The Old Testament - Can you imagine being able to run faster than a horse drawn chariot? Think of any athlete you can remember who ran great speeds for any given distance, and they were already outrun by an Old Testament prophet. "And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, 'Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand.' And he said, 'Go up, say unto Ahab, 'Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.'' And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." (1 Kings 18:44 - 46)

Fed By Birds - We often hear or read of feeding birds, but not of being fed by them; but there was a prophet who actually was fed by ravens! "'Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.' So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook." (1 Kings 17:3 - 6) Imagine being Elijah, waited on by birds to bring him his meals!

What Do Cherubim Look Like? - For the best description, look in the entire first chapter of Ezekiel, and be amazed at the physical description of them! "Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went." (Ezek. 1:5 - 12) So if anyone tells you they look like little children with wings, you can give them another think coming!

Tattooing/Pimping Is A No-No - Tattoos are so popular nowadays, there's actually a tattoo TV show called "L.A. Ink", but did you know it is a violation of God's law? "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:28) Printing any marks on you is tattooing, and in the eyes of the Lord, it is as the heathens were in the time of Moses! Pimping was a no-no too, as apparently parents sold their daughters for sex in the days of Moses, too; "Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness." (Lev. 19:29)

The First Census - In the book of Numbers was the first census recorded in the bible, and it was only of the men who were 20 years old and up, and able to go to war (no handicaps); "Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers." (Num. 1:2 - 4). Apparently, this was the first draft for military service, too!

Almonds In A Day - What if I told you a seemingly dead stick could bud, flower, and bear fruit in a day? Would that seem a little impressive to you? It's been done! "And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness. And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds." (Num. 17:6 - 8) Would that anyone had faith enough to cause that to every stick they laid hold of in a day, world hunger could be solved!

Floating Iron - How does anyone make iron swim? I don't mean a piece that's been hollowed out so that you can fill it full of air or helium, I mean a solid piece of iron. Elisha knew how to do it! "So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, 'Alas, master! For it was borrowed.' And the man of God said, 'Where fell it?' And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, 'Take it up to thee.' And he put out his hand, and took it." (2 Kings 6:4 - 7)

Man Walks On Water - I don't mean Jesus, I mean PETER! "And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. And He said, 'Come.' And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, 'Lord, save me.' And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, 'O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?'" (Matt. 14:28 - 31) People remember that Jesus walked on water, but few remember that Peter did, too!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Biblical Mudslinging And Namecalling


BIBLICAL MUDSLINGING AND NAME CALLING
During the days of Jesus' ministry, doing His work wasn't always a picnic; as a matter of fact, there were times it was downright nasty! They would say terrible things toward Jesus, and He, of course, was perfectly able to return fire! Our politicians nowadays do plenty of mudslinging and name calling towards their opponents, and the same thing was going on between cetain people and Jesus. Let's see what we can come up with...
  Fox - "And He said unto them, 'Go ye, and tell that fox, "Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected."'" Luke 13:32 (KJV) - Jesus directed this name at Herod Antipas because Herod was known for cunning deceit.

The eternally damning mudsling - "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, 'This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.'" "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Matt. 12:24, 32 (KJV) - After seeing Jesus perform a healing miracle, the Pharisees thought it of little consequence to accuse the Holy Spirit's work through Jesus of being the work of the devil (through Jesus.)  An eternally terminal mistake! Jesus answered back to the Pharisees who had made the mistake of saying what they did in Matt. 12:24 that their mouths had just uttered an eternally damning thing! The circumstances for this blasphemy cannot be duplicated today, but in their day, the circumstances were so!

Wicked and adulterous generation - "'A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.' And He left them, and departed." Matt. 16:4 (KJV) - This name calling Jesus directed toward the Pharisees and Sadducees because they were just that; wicked and adulterous. Adulterous, depending on which Pharisee/Sadducee, may have been concerning an extramarital affair, but more likely their adulteration of the true intent of the scriptures with their interpretations.

Dogs - "
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Matt. 7:6 (KJV) - "But He answered and said, 'It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.'" Matt. 15:26 (KJV) When someone was called a "dog", they were being called unholy, and this reference was typically given to Gentiles because they were unbelievers. In this second example, Jesus yet gave the woman what she wanted, despite being a non-Jew, because of her great faith.

Blind leaders of the blind/blind guides - "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matt. 15:14 (KJV) - This reference was to both the Pharisees and those who followed/believed them. The Pharisees were offended because they knew He meant them as the blind leaders, and the ditch is hell.

Blasphemer - "Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." 1 Tim. 1:13 (KJV) - In his humility, Paul confessed that he was this type of person, one who speaks irreverently or impiously of God. This is one of the few times you will find someone slinging mud onto their own reputation, although for Paul, this was his pre-born - again reputation.

Publicans - " And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples." Matt. 9:10 (KJV) - Publicans had the same reputation in those days as habitual sinners because when they collected taxes for the Romans, they were reknowned for extortion and malpractice while doing their jobs. They were the "untouchables" of Jesus' days on earth.

Heathen - "And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste." Lev. 26:33 (KJV) - This particular reference was part of a multi-faceted curse for the Israelites if they broke His commandments. In this case, it was a prophecy of His people's exile to Assyria and Babylonia. Heathens are people who do not believe in the true God of creation.

Heretic(k) - "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Titus 3:10-11 (KJV) - This is an interesting term, because if you think about it, each time a new denomination is formed, the smaller denomination would be considered by the larger denomination to be heretics. Marcion was labeled a heretic for cutting away from the book of Romans from 14:23 to the end. It's something of a serious mudsling, because a heresiarch is considered, as suggested by Paul, to be subverted, one who willfully sins, and self-condemned in not accepting widely accepted Christian dogma.

Hypocrites - "
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matt. 6:16 (KJV) - Christ often called the Pharisees hypocrites, and they were. In this case, they did not wash or trim their hair, and were even reported to have put ashes on their heads. They went out of their way to appear holy, while Jesus held their behavior as so much lip service to God, as their hearts were far from Him.

Pharisees - "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Matt. 3:7 (KJV) - From Christ's and His disciples' view, this was a mudsling associated with damning hypocrisy, but to the view of the common Jews and the other Jewish sects, They held the most influence. These were the worst persecutors of Jesus, thus John saw them as a "generation of vipers"!

Sadducees - "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Matt. 3:7 (KJV) - The Sadducees were largely from the priesthood and upper classes, contrasting from the Pharisees with doctrine such as denying a bodily resurrection, the oral traditions (of the Pharisees), angels, and future punishment and reward. Christ condemned them as severely as the Pharisees. Both sects were into extreme legalism, but opposed each other regarding rabbinic tradition, which the Sadducees rejected in regards to authority. They also were opposites regarding politics, which the Pharisees had little interest in.

After this last of name calling and mudsling that is of negative substance, we now will turn to namecalling of positive substance, three of which are names given to God in the New Testament.

Lost sheep - "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying,
'Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'" Matt. 10:5-6 (KJV) - The lost sheep in this case were the Jewish people who did not yet believe in Jesus, or know Him as their Messiah. After their rejection of the King and Savior, the lost sheep came to include the Gentiles.

Rabbi/Rabboni - "Jesus saith unto her, 'Mary.' She turned herself, and saith unto Him, 'Rabboni'; which is to say, Master." John 20:16 (KJV) Master and Teacher are interchangeable, although Master in His case was more appropriate an interpretation.

My brethren - "But He answered and said unto him that told Him, 'Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?' And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, 'Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.'" Matt. 12:48-50 (KJV) - Prior to Christ saying this, brethren were family members by blood. Here Christ explains eloquently that we who believe and demonstrate so by doing the will of the Father are all family in the Spirit of Christ!

Prophets - "And Moses said unto him, 'Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!'" Num. 11:29 (KJV) - Prophets were people who spoke by divine inspiration. Here Moses is referring to Eldad and Medad.

Apostles - "And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught." Mark 6:30 (KJV) - Apostles were hand-picked men whom Jesus was accompanied by during His ministry. Paul would later be included as an apostle because Jesus handpicked him while he was traveling to Damascus.

Disciples - Isaiah first used the word "disciples" - "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." Isa. 8:16 (KJV) - I purposely chose this verse of Scripture to show that disciples chose to follow whomever they would follow. Indeed, Jesus had many, many disciples, and even now, we call ourselves "Christians", which means we follow Christ (as much as humanly possible, although not nearly perfectly!) The apostles were also disciples, but as you have read illustrated before you, few disciples were apostles!

Son of man - "And he said unto me, 'Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against Me: they and their fathers have transgressed against Me, even unto this very day.'" Ezek. 2:3 (KJV); "
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." Matt. 9:6 (KJV) - While this first was a title given to Ezekiel from God, Jesus demonstrated that this was His favorite title for Himself, since He used it more than 80 times throughout the bible towards Himself. Daniel first used the title toward Christ in Dan. 7:13 - 14. Christ used it to emphasize His suffering and death, His lowliness and humanity, and His coming rule as King over all His believers.

The Comforter - "If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John 14:15-17 (KJV) Jesus refers here to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, and gives Him yet another name, the Spirit of truth. Blessed are all in whom the Holy Spirit resides!

So here you have a list of biblical mudslings that went on in biblical days, and they were rather different than the mudslinging that goes on between politicians of our days, although mudslinging is always dirt in the eyes of those whom it is directed at! Namecalling, on the other hand, depends on what you are inferring with the nomenclature; you can mean the name for good or evil! In any case, let us give one another only good names, and stifle the mudslinging as much as humanly possible!

Friday, December 2, 2011

TAKE JESUS, FOR EXAMPLE...


TAKE JESUS, FOR EXAMPLE...
When Jesus was here on earth around 2,000 years ago, one of the wonderful things He did was to set an example in so many ways.  Many do not understand He came to serve in so many capacities, and one facet was to serve as an example; so take Jesus, for example:

1. Suffered in silence - "What think ye?  They answered and said, 'He is guilty of death.' Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands, saying, 'Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, Who is he that smote Thee?'" Matt. 26:66 - 68 (KJV)  "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'  And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head." Matt. 27:29 - 30 (KJV)  "And some began to spit on Him, and to cover His face, and to buffet Him, and to say unto Him, 'Prophesy:' and the servants did strike Him with the palms of their hands." Mark 14:65 (KJV)  "And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, and began to salute Him, 'Hail, King of the Jews!'  And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and bowing their knees worshipped Him." Mark 15:17 - 19 (KJV)  "And the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him.  And when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face, and asked Him, saying, 'Prophesy, who is it that smote Thee?'  And many other things blasphemously spake they against Him." Luke 22:63 - 65 (KJV)  "And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, and said, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and they smote Him with their hands." John 19:2 - 3 (KJV)  I must tell you, I am something of a complainer; I confess.  Even on the cross, the seven cries He cried were not complaints, but forgiveness for His accusers and those who crucified Him, hope for the thief who asked Him remembrance, a question of the Father of being forsaken, and if anything be construed as a complaint, that He thirsted.  Could any of us go through all that with only seven things to say, and only to note that we were thirsty for a sole complaint?  We, too, suffer from time to time, but when we suffer at the hands of anyone, do we take it as Jesus did, or do we fight back, mouth off, or moan for all to hear?

2. Forgave without being asked - "When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, 'Woman, where are those thine accusers?  Hath no man condemned thee?'  'No man, Lord.'  And Jesus said unto her, 'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.'" John 8:10 - 11 (KJV)  "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'  And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.  And the people stood beholding.  And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, 'He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God." Luke 23:33 - 35 (KJV)  "And, behold, they brought to Him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; 'Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.'" Matt. 9:2 (KJV)  As He taught, so He did.  "So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." Matt. 18:35 (KJV)  Note nobody there asked Him to forgive them, He even did it despite their insolence and disgust in Him while He was on the cross!  This is often another tough example for us to follow.  Some of us would need time to force ourselves to forgive something this extreme, let alone without being asked.  Stephen was the first disciple after Jesus' death to use Christ's example without being asked forgiveness; "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.'  And when he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:59-60 (KJV)

3. Showed compassion - "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Matt. 9:36 (KJV)  "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." Matt. 14:14 (KJV)  "Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, 'I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.'" Matt. 15:32 (KJV)  "And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, 'What will ye that I shall do unto you?'  They say unto Him, 'Lord, that our eyes may be opened.'  So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him." Matt. 20:32 - 34 (KJV)  "And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, 'If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.'  And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, 'I will; be thou clean.'  And as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." Mark 1:40 - 42 (KJV)  "And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him.  Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, 'Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.'" Mark 5:18 - 19 (KJV)  The Lord gave us these examples of behavior not only for the reason of being like Him, but also that we might perform acts of compassion which are works worthy of going to heaven (see Matt. 25:31 - 40, James 2:17 - 24).  Not that we are saved by works, but by faith.  James explained in his epistle that the works demonstrate the faith in Christ, and as a two-part ticket, this gets one into heaven.

4. Correctly Taught from Scripture - Jesus often quoted Scripture to give correction and reproof to the errant.  "And when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'  But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'" Matt. 4:3 - 4 (KJV)  "Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?"  God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.'" Matt 22:29-32 (KJV)  "And saith unto Him, 'If Thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.'  Jesus said unto him, 'It is written again, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.'" Matt. 4:6 - 7 (KJV)  "Then he said unto them, 'O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?'  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:25 - 27 (KJV)  "Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, 'All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.'  Then saith Jesus unto him, 'Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. '" Matt. 4:8 - 10 (KJV)  "Jesus saith unto them, 'Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" Matt. 21:42 (KJV)

5. Humility - "Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself.  After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.  Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, 'Lord, dost thou wash my feet?'" John 13:3 - 6 (KJV)  Normally a servant washes feet; this was considered a lowly task.  Jesus put into action what He preached; "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matt. 20:26 - 28 (KJV)

6. Adopted Believers As Family - Jesus gave example of whom to call our family as not those who we are biologically related to, for those whom we are associated with in that manner are not always believers.  Since believers realize they are commanded to love one another, these are our family in Christ, family in the same faith in Christ, and so, family in spirit, which is firmer than family in blood.  "Then one said unto Him, 'Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with Thee.'  But He answered and said unto him that told Him, 'Who is My mother?  And who are My brethren?'  And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, 'Behold My mother and My brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.'" Matt. 12:47 - 50 (KJV)

So here we have six examples that Jesus gave us in His own behavior as well as in the teachings He spoke.  Let us behave as He gave example of, adopting fellow believers as family, and treating them so.  Let us humbly be of service one to another, and not to our adopted family in Christ alone, but even to unbelievers, that they might be converted by our behavior toward them, open their heart and their eyes to Christ, and be saved.  When we are asked questions that may be answered from Scripture, let us use it appropriately, and even for those who need reproof, that they might be ashamed, and turn to righteousness.  Let us show compassion where we are able, for many followed Christ because of His compassion; we too should direct them to follow Him because it is our reason for compassion on them!  Let us forgive everyone offenses of all kinds, for even Christ forgave sins of the worst kind, even those His enemies thought not to ask forgiveness for.  And lastly, and usually this is the hardest example He gave us to follow, let us suffer whatever for His sake, as He suffered abuse, ridicule, torture, and death for our sake.  Lord Jesus, bless us with the intestinal fortitude and ability to follow Your example!