SCRIP-BITS

Matthew 5:2.    And he opened his mouth and taught them saying…
 
Oh Friends, I’m chuckling early tonight. Whenever I open the Good Book to seek a Bit, I usually scan the pages it opens at first, to see if it’s a sign, or if there’s anything worthwhile. Many times it’s been a sign, or I’ve found worthwhile stuff. Tonight I opened it at Jeremiah 16, and though there were useful passages, they were all negative; talking about death, destruction and captivity. I contemplated it for a minute or so, then shook my head and said, ‘No Lord, I can’t keep bombarding the people with negative stuff. They need something a little more encouraging and uplifting.’ Hn, hn!Thankfully, the Spirit didn’t seem to object, so I happily moved on, and was led to this Bit about Jesus. Oh Friends, I don’t know about you all nuh, but I just LOVE Jesus’ style; cool, suave, unflappable and somewhat reserved, never too high or too low. It reminds me of my father. In all the years I knew him, I never saw him angry and annoyed, or lose his cool. Whatever the problem, though he might not like it, he always seemed to deal with it in a calm, reasonable, sensible manner. I never truly appreciated his calm, impeccable, unflappable demeanour before, but these days, I often wish I could be like him. But I guess I was just born to be a brawling, angry, loudmouth, though the Lord’s working on me. Yes children, He is, though you all might not think so. (smile) And the amusing part of it all is that my wife claims when she first met me, she thought I was so sweet and quiet, never said much. Now, many years later, she’s constantly telling me to shut up. (smile) But getting back to El Numero Uno, Jesus. The Bit says: ‘And he opened his mouth and taught them saying…’ What did He say to them? ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.’ (Matt.5:3-4) And He went on to teach them the Beatitudes, which we all know is how He began the  famous Sermon on the Mount. But check this out mih people. When Jesus was finished with the Beatitudes, He went on to expound about; the salt of the earth, the light of the world, on the law, on anger, on adultery, on divorce, on oaths, on LOVE for enemies, on alms giving, on prayer, on fasting, on treasures in heaven, the light of the body, trusting one master, on judging others, the golden rule, the strait gate, false prophets, on turning away hypocrites at heaven’s gate, and on the two foundations, rock and sand. Wow! Friends, can you imagine any preacher today getting up and speaking so candidly and so authoritatively on all those topics in one sermon? Not on yuh life! Most of them can barely cover one topic, much less all those. But Jesus did it; in His inimitable teaching style too, thus the following reaction from the crowd. ‘And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine (teaching): For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.’ (Matt.7:28-29) Yes mih people, our Lord and Saviour just had a completely different style, one we’d all do well to try and imitate; cool, calm and comforting. And the fact of the matter is that wherever He went, people were astonished at His wisdom and His ability to clearly put over His thoughts and ideas. The first instance of this unbelievable poise and wisdom shows up when He’s just twelve. He went up to Jerusalem with His family for the Passover, but did not go back home with them. When His parents discovered He was missing, they returned to Jerusalem to look for Him, and three days after their initial departure, found Him in the temple ‘sitting in the midst of the doctors (teachers), both hearing and asking them questions.’ (Luke 2:46) Imagine that nuh people; at 12, Jesus was reasoning with the learned men in the synagogue. And what was their reaction? ‘And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.’ (Luke 2:47) So at 12, Jesus was indeed holding His own with the literati, the learned class. Now what would our reaction be to such an occasion or event eh? Here’s Jesus’ parents reaction. ‘And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us (done this to us)? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing (anxiously).’ (Luke 2:48) But by age 12 Friends, Jesus was already hot to trot on His avowed mission. ‘And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist (knew) ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?’ (Luke 2:49) Poor parents! Sounds like most of today’s children. ‘And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.’ (Luke 2:50-52) Oh Friends, most of us would want to knock His block off for telling us nonsense at 12, re being about his father’s business. Wasn’t I His father? You think I could have told my mother that, though she was so nice and sweet. No way! I’d possibly lose a couple teeth. But thankfully, the Lord gave Jesus’ parents, especially Mary, discernment to understand, well not really understand, but to realize that they had a unique child, and it was best to just keep their cool and take the matter in stride. I guess one could say that was Jesus’ coming out moment. Anyway, time and space are upon us. I do hope though that this gives us a little more insight into Jesus’ character and style, and that we’ll all try our best to emulate Him. As usual, the Spirit led the way, because I never planned to quote all those verses at the end. But His reasoning was sound, so like the obedient son that I am, I obeyed. (smile) We’ll continue this tomorrow, God willing of course, for both the Spirit and I have much more to say. Till then, please walk safely with the Lord. Much LOVE!…it would be so great…if all of us…could be cool like Jesus…