Our paragraph topic is: (Humility according to Christ's example) Part 4.
Christ told them: "Not so is it among you. " He wanted them to understand that they were different than the rulers and lords of the day. The rulers of the day exercised control over the Gentiles. They set themselves above the local people and exercised privilege over the people. They were special. They were not of the ordinary. They were the rulers and their great men demonstrated their power over the people.
Christ did not want his disciples to think of themselves as such, but the disciples wanted to have power and prestige. They thought of themselves as though they were to be the new rulers and the new lords according to the authority of Christ. But Christ had to show them that they were different. He had to close the door to enmity, and hatred, and anger, and jealousy, and all the emotions that were a part of the rulers of the day. For his disciples must take their example from him. They must follow his guidance, his path, his sacrifice.
So he gave them the understanding that they were different than the everyday ruler of the time. They were his followers. They were his witnesses that carried his message. They were his teachers and his preachers and his examples of the love that comes from the Father. They were not to become rulers and lords of the day. Not so, is it among you that you lord your authority over the Gentiles.
They were meek and mild. They were loving and forgiving. They were understanding and helpful to all the people because they saw something in the people. Christ showed them the love that he had for the lowly. He demonstrated the forgiveness that he possessed for the sinner. He opened his heart to those who were suffering, the lame, the blind, the sick, the deaf, the widowed. For he saw that which was in them that was in him. He saw the beauty of the life that was given to mankind that was created by God our Father. And he knew that the love that the Father had for him was the same love that he had for all men.
So he came to serve not to become a king. He came to give and not to take. He came to light the path and not to leave us in darkness. He came to pay the price for disobedience and not to trespass against the Father. He came that what was lost could now be found if we only search for it. The choice to find it is ours to make. The choice to believe in it is ours if we want. The choice to know is ours if we seek to know. The choice to see the truth is ours if we are not blinded. What, do you choose?
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
Christ told them: "Not so is it among you. " He wanted them to understand that they were different than the rulers and lords of the day. The rulers of the day exercised control over the Gentiles. They set themselves above the local people and exercised privilege over the people. They were special. They were not of the ordinary. They were the rulers and their great men demonstrated their power over the people.
Christ did not want his disciples to think of themselves as such, but the disciples wanted to have power and prestige. They thought of themselves as though they were to be the new rulers and the new lords according to the authority of Christ. But Christ had to show them that they were different. He had to close the door to enmity, and hatred, and anger, and jealousy, and all the emotions that were a part of the rulers of the day. For his disciples must take their example from him. They must follow his guidance, his path, his sacrifice.
So he gave them the understanding that they were different than the everyday ruler of the time. They were his followers. They were his witnesses that carried his message. They were his teachers and his preachers and his examples of the love that comes from the Father. They were not to become rulers and lords of the day. Not so, is it among you that you lord your authority over the Gentiles.
They were meek and mild. They were loving and forgiving. They were understanding and helpful to all the people because they saw something in the people. Christ showed them the love that he had for the lowly. He demonstrated the forgiveness that he possessed for the sinner. He opened his heart to those who were suffering, the lame, the blind, the sick, the deaf, the widowed. For he saw that which was in them that was in him. He saw the beauty of the life that was given to mankind that was created by God our Father. And he knew that the love that the Father had for him was the same love that he had for all men.
So he came to serve not to become a king. He came to give and not to take. He came to light the path and not to leave us in darkness. He came to pay the price for disobedience and not to trespass against the Father. He came that what was lost could now be found if we only search for it. The choice to find it is ours to make. The choice to believe in it is ours if we want. The choice to know is ours if we seek to know. The choice to see the truth is ours if we are not blinded. What, do you choose?
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
