GENTLE JESUS!

 

Sunday, May 3, 2026

 

GENTLE JESUS!

 

Mark 10:17-23

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

 

          We sometimes joke about evangelists and preachers beating people over the head with the Bible in order to win their loyalty, but we see no such attitude in Jesus. He was the way and the truth but not everyone followed His way or believed His truth. Yet Jesus never preached to be personally offensive. He never pouted when some walked away unchanged. Jesus’ model was gentleness and reverence.

 

          Jesus never argued with those who disagreed with Him. He did ask some leading questions meant to make the subject think! Here He asks: “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but God.” In this short question Jesus challenges the man to investigate his own motivation. He also hints that He was God.

 

          Jesus answered a simple question with a simple answer. The man wanted to know what he could do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded that he should never ever, not even once, do anything wrong. The man foolishly said that he had kept every part of the law flawlessly. Then Jesus looked at this foolish man and loved him. Jesus then focuses on the man’s love of his money.

 

          Jesus never lashed out in anger or ridicule. Jesus never challenged the man’s assertion that he had kept the law from his youth until now. Instead, Jesus used common sense dialogue, storytelling and logical debate. The man walked away – and Jesus let him do so.

 

James 3:17

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 

Dear Lord, let me present the gospel in a persistent and gentle manner. Bless each effort with fruit by your Spirit. AMEN

 

IF IT WEREN’T FOR GRACE!

 

Saturday, May 2, 2026

 

IF IT WEREN’T FOR GRACE!

 

Rom 5:15

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

 

          A choir song has been running through my head for days! The truth of it is immense and amazing. Where would I be if it weren’t for grace?

 

          Grace is that attribute of God that allows Him to relate to us as though we had no sin. No, it is not the same as ignoring our sin! That produces spoiled bratty children. Grace is possible because the punishment has already been exacted. My debt is paid. Grace is the parental hug after the spanking.

 

          The gift of grace is “by one man, Jesus Christ” and it is abounded unto many. Why only many? Why not all? Certainly, Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all sins and all sinners! The answer is in the word “whosoever.”

 

          “Whosoever” is found 183 times in 163 verses. The final time it is used is in Revelation 22:17 and it is the final invitation.

 

Rev 22:17

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for your grace which was purchased by Jesus Christ. AMEN

 

ROADMAP OR RELATIONSHIP?

 

Friday, May 1, 2026

 

ROADMAP OR RELATIONSHIP?

 

Ex 33:12-14

12 And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.

14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

 

I know of no more troubling topic than the will of God! We want to know details so that we might more fully obey the Lord, or so we claim. Incomplete instructions freeze us in our tracks. Just what is the will of God anyway?

 

IS IT A ROAD MAP?

 

Isa 30:21

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

 

Ah! Perhaps the will of God is some heavenly GPS device complete with a voice that calls out each turn. But we all know that this device is only needed when we travel in unfamiliar territory. Most of us never venture very far in our walk of faith!

 

Abraham had no road map. He was a wanderer but everywhere he went was, or became, the way of God for his life.

 

Gen 12:1

12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

 

 

THE WILL OF GOD IS A RELATIONSHIP!

 

Moses said: “Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight. And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people.”  Ex 33:13 (AMPLIFIED BIBLE)

 

Dr. Adrian Rodgers once said: “The will of God is not a road map. It is a relationship! You just simply set yourself apart to do the will of God.” It is not so important to know the “way” as it is to know the “way maker.”

 

THIS RELATIONSHIP REQUIRES A WISE DAILY WALK!

 

Eph 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, [walk carefully, live purposefully] not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, [don’t let opportunities slip away] because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

Dear Lord, I want to know your will today so that I may do it. I do not want to be foolishly out of place or to waste time or energy on activities that are not vital. I know you do not want me to be confused. I know you will guide me step by step. I am so impatient. I know you will reveal your will as I need to know it. Thank you for your guidance today. AMEN