Christian Living

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Picture of Jesus

I read the stories about Jesus and come out with a whole other picture from what is taught to us from childhood.

I'm sure we all see something different in Jesus, but do we ever truly see the epitomy of manhood? He was that, you know, considered a man among men.

He had to have been muscular, as he helped Joseph in wood working. They didn't have electric saws back then. He must have been a magnificent specimen. That's not what we see portrayed in art or even movies.

Jesus was quite the character, too. Imagine His gentle, authoritive voice as He spoke a curse upon a tree.

Remember the story of Jesus overturning the tables of the money changers? These tables were hardly light weights.

How much time had Jesus invested in His disciples, when a man brought his son whom the disciples had already tried to heal and yet the boy was still stricken with epilepsy. Have you ever noticed, in the scriptures, what Jesus' first reaction was? It sure wasn't an immediate healing for the boy because the boy had cast himself on the ground, writhing while Jesus turned His attention to His disciples.

Evidently Jesus was repeating something He had already taught them and then saying "....how long shall I tarry with you...". Jesus had only a certain amount of time to share knowledge and to teach His disciples, so every set back was actually wasting precious time. He was aggrivated with them. Not because they had done wrong but because Jesus was running out of time.

I see a commander. I see it worthy to be His soldier on many plains.

Before Jesus departed, He issued the great commission. These were orders from our commander, Him seeming much more the authoritive figure, in my mind.

Would it change the way you act and feel, if you had a more appropriate picture of your Lord? Instead of worrying about how and when you would follow out His orders, might you become the obedient soldier?

Soldiers carry out orders, don't argue with orders and don't doubt what they are expected to do. I call this 'training'.

While it is true that we push toward the mark, study His word and praise Him, it is also true that we are commissioned into His army and are to train to be good soldiers. Obedience is what He expects from us, doing without question, standing firm and hearing only One voice.

judy sims

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