Jesus stopped.
-from Matthew 20:29-33
When combined, those simple words, "Jesus stopped," rock the very foundation of the cosmos.
Circumstances and details vary slightly between Gospel accounts. Mark and Luke record only one blind man while Matthew records two. John doesn't mention it at all.
-from Matthew 20:29-33
When combined, those simple words, "Jesus stopped," rock the very foundation of the cosmos.
Circumstances and details vary slightly between Gospel accounts. Mark and Luke record only one blind man while Matthew records two. John doesn't mention it at all.
Apparent inconsistencies such as these cause some reject Scripture altogether.
In doing so the commonality, the point, "Jesus stopped," is lost.
Details certainly vary. Unquestionable. If the goal is to discredit the Word by the Word, the request - our choice - is always granted.
"Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.
Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.
Otherwise, they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
and close their eyes.
Otherwise, they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed."
The inability to humble ourselves before the King is ever exposed. The rejection of Jesus, the Eternal Word, ensures blind eyes never see, deaf ears never hear, and calloused hearts never really turn.
and turn and be healed."
The inability to humble ourselves before the King is ever exposed. The rejection of Jesus, the Eternal Word, ensures blind eyes never see, deaf ears never hear, and calloused hearts never really turn.
Wisdom of the world is the rope by which the proud are hanged.
Nevertheless, "Jesus stopped."
On this point, there is no debate or discord.
Inability.
Desperation.
Recognition.
Opportunity.
Honesty.
Humility.
Nevertheless, "Jesus stopped."
On this point, there is no debate or discord.
Inability.
Desperation.
Recognition.
Opportunity.
Honesty.
Humility.
Compassion.
Action.
Transformation.
Revelation.
Action.
Transformation.
Revelation.
The eternal and beloved Son of God, Jesus, Christ, son of David, son of Abraham, the incarnate and unique God-man, Immanuel, the perfect and spotless Lamb of God, slain from the foundations of the cosmos, who takes away the sin of the world... He is the one who hears cries of absolute and utter desperation, "Have mercy!" He is the one who responds...
Jesus stopped.
Shortly after this Jesus entered Jerusalem. He did so knowing He would never leave.
Jesus stopped.
Shortly after this Jesus entered Jerusalem. He did so knowing He would never leave.
He entered triumphantly on a donkey.
The Cross was waiting.
The King came in humility - not only to Jerusalem but from His eternal throne in heaven.
The King came in humility - not only to Jerusalem but from His eternal throne in heaven.
He came knowing the Cross was His portion, His mission.
He walked with us, taught us, He ate with us and washed our feet... the feet of those who would reject... deny... even betray Him.
Still, He came.
Still, Jesus stopped.
Jesus accepted His arrest. He accepted the horrific beatings. He accepted the cross, the trek up Calvary, the incessant mocking and the shame. He accepted the nails. He accepted the crucifixion. He accepted and endured it all for the joy set before Him.
Just before He died, Jesus asked the Father to have mercy on us. Jesus plead with the Father for His perfect sacrifice to satisfy the wrath and penalty for our rebellion and sin. "Have mercy..." The Father accepted with one condition: Our humble recognition.
Jesus accepted His arrest. He accepted the horrific beatings. He accepted the cross, the trek up Calvary, the incessant mocking and the shame. He accepted the nails. He accepted the crucifixion. He accepted and endured it all for the joy set before Him.
Just before He died, Jesus asked the Father to have mercy on us. Jesus plead with the Father for His perfect sacrifice to satisfy the wrath and penalty for our rebellion and sin. "Have mercy..." The Father accepted with one condition: Our humble recognition.
Salvation by grace through faith in Christ.
One could focus on insignificant variations and apparent inconsistencies... blind eyes refusing to see, deaf ears refusing to hear, and stone hearts refusing to turn... or we could focus on the point:
Someone, in honest and desperate dependency, shouted, "Lord! Have mercy!"
One could focus on insignificant variations and apparent inconsistencies... blind eyes refusing to see, deaf ears refusing to hear, and stone hearts refusing to turn... or we could focus on the point:
Someone, in honest and desperate dependency, shouted, "Lord! Have mercy!"
Jesus stopped.
He will for you too.
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
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