Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Reflection - Imitating Christ - in our attitudes and daily interactions

Source (book): "Finding rest for the soul", Chapter Nine, Question 2, Page 150.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012



PHOTO: How have you been imitating Christ in your attitudes and daily interactions?
We should be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:15), merciful as He is merciful (Luke 6:36), and perfect as He is perfect (Matthew 5:48). We imitate God by imitating Christ, who is not only God, but is also "the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3) and "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15).

After Jesus ascended to heaven, however, we were back to relating to an invisible God. Once again, we cannot see, touch, or hear Him in the same way the disciples and the crowds could. So what should we do now?

The apostle Paul provides the answer: "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1, NKLV). Godly people provide us with a model for imitating Christ. We can observe them and learn from the way they seek to be like Jesus - in their discipline, priorities, and focus.

God appeared in human form when Jesus was born; for a while, Jesus provided us with a tangible, living, flesh-and-blood example to follow. Can we still learn from Him?

The answer lies in the Gospels, which record the life of Jesus. Through them, we can hear what He said and see what He did. The four gospels in the New Testament provide authentic, reliable portraits of Jesus. The portraits of Christ give us room to concentrate on His character and relationships, which lie at the heart of Christ-likeness.

Read the questions listed on page 144 about the example of Christ in the Gospels. Take time to find answers from the Bible and share your insights with others.

How did Jesus pray?
Jesus loved His Father and communicated with Him often. He prayed for wisdom and guidance in His earthly ministry. He prayed for others to come to know Him as Savior and Lord. He prayed for the twelve disciples, that God would protect them from "the evil one". Jesus prayed for God to strengthen their ministry once He departed from them. He prayed with honesty and reverence. He prayed with joy and praise. But most of all, Jesus prayed with expectation. He knew the Father heard His prayers and would respond.

How did He handle people's unfaithfulness, ignorance, and treachery?
Though Jesus' internal struggle with Judas' betrayal is not recorded, we can assume that it was difficult for him emotionally. We know that he instructed Judas to do what he'd set his mind to. He didn't stop him or throw a fit. We also know that Jesus responded to Judas graciously. Jesus could never be accused of being a pushover, but he framed his response to Judas' betrayal with kindness and graciousness.

How did He respond to the crowds?
Jesus respond is to do the will of God and not to gain popularity with people for himself.

What did He focus His energies on?
Jesus focus His energies on carrying out the Father's will.  It was His driving passion, and it outweighed all His other needs or wants. In the end, He even gave up His life to accomplish His Father's work. Nothing held Him back.

How did He teach and preach?
During His ministry on earth, Jesus taught as no one else had done before. Those who heard Him saw the distinct difference - He taught "as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law" (Matthew 7:28-29). He taught people wonderful lessons for life. Using parables and simple language, He introduced them to deep truths about God and His relationship with human beings.

How did He handle suffering?
Jesus models for us how to handle suffering and injustice. The key principle is not to retaliate in spite or revenge. Jesus knew what His mission was and He stayed focused in the midst of reprobates (unprincipled persons) thinking they determined His destiny and death (Isaiah 53:7; Ecclesiastes 3:7).

How did He respond to sinners? What was His attitude to sin?
Jesus showed mercy to the one caught in sin. Jesus doesn't condone the sin, but He also doesn't condemn the sinner. He is the only One who can rightly condemn, and yet he offers overwhelming, astonishing grace to all of us. While many Christians are out condemning sinners, Jesus did the opposite - He gave His very life to bear sinners' sin and condemnation on the cross - for all who would trust in Him.

How did He respond to hypocrites?
Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees illustrates
their unacceptable hypocrisy. But, going beyond simply calling Pharisees hypocrites, Jesus paints a disturbing picture:
"You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matthew 23:27-28)

How did He respond to His disciples?
We must be wondering if Jesus' disciples had learnt anything. After all, their hearts were hardened, they were at times overcome by panic and terror, their minds were often distracted, and they were sleepy at the most critical times.
At times, it must really have been exasperating for the Lord to have such slow students. Jesus would  proceeded to give more explanation, and possibly with some degree of exasperation.

How did He respond to His mother and siblings?
"Who are my mother and my brothers?" He asked (Mark 3:33). The crowd must have whispered among themselves, wondering why Jesus was treating his own family like strangers. Knowing that the Lord often said unexpected things, they waited to see what He would say next. They were not disappointed; looking around at them all, Jesus remarked, "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35).

How did He handle oppositions? What did He do when unjustly criticised and accused?
Jesus countered oppositions' hypocrisy with Scripture (Luke 6:3-5)

How did He respond to the poor? The sick?
Jesus called us to treat each poor person with dignity. In Jesus' time, and probably ours, people who were poor were considered second class citizens. Others avoided them. They stayed away from them. That was not true with Jesus. He addresses his disciples: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)" "Blessed," he calls the poor "blessed"; in other words, favoured by God. He was announcing that in his kingdom the poor are not despised, not considered sinful, and not looked down upon, just because they have little or no money.  In his kingdom, the poor are people of value.

Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons from people. Quite frankly, that was why many were in great need. They couldn't work; thus, they couldn't make money or grow food. So, by Jesus healing people, they could "return to work" to produce enough wealth to subsist on. Thus, Jesus went to the root of their poverty.

How did He handle temptation?
What had Jesus, the meek and mild carpenter, been doing all those silent years growing up in Nazareth? We just saw it. His first words revealed it to us. "It is written". Jesus grew up with a hammer in one hand and a scroll in the other. He prepared for three-and-a-half years of ministry by spending about three-and-a-half decades memorizing portions of the Word of God.

Jesus’ attention to the Word of God gave Him a spiritual reservoir to draw from in time of temptation. The Scriptures can do the same for us.

How did He handle God's Word? What was His attitude to the Law?
Jesus quoted Old Testament scripture as if it was authoritative. He quoted it to reveal and combat the lies of Satan. He referred to scriptural passages and stories as support for his teaching. He quoted scripture to resolve theological disputes. He said that the words in the Jewish scripture, commonly referred to as “the Law and the Prophets,” were lasting and authoritative. His words:

"Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished." (Matthew 5:17-18)

What was His attitude to the downtrodden?
Jesus healed the blind man on the Sabbath and broke the laws against working by making clay and by healing. The rest of John 9 after the first 5 verses is the stormy story of conflict over legalistic religion. The issues in this story are amazingly contemporary: incurable illness, family rejection, conflicts over religion, fear of authority, ignorant and heartless religious leaders, misplaced judgment, and the determination of Jesus to cut through all of the confusion to accept and encourage the man when he was cast out as a sinner! Jesus accepts us when religion doesn't.

Throughout the ministry of Jesus, his actions were consistently aimed at including the people that hippocratic religion had left out. Jesus included women, children, foreigners, sinners, the "unclean", outcasts, the sick and even outlaws and murderers (thief on the cross) at a time when the basic thrust of religion was to divide people into "insiders" and "outsiders", the clean and the unclean.

What was His attitude to the world? To wealth?
Jesus advocates to enter God’s kingdom, build eternal treasure in heaven, rather than having surplus wealth in this world. Jesus' words about earthly riches seem to have a mostly negative bent. He identified the rich as afflicted "Woe to you who are rich" (Luke 6:24). Jesus described wealth in several negative ways.

Jesus’ attitude toward earthly riches was both negative and positive. He viewed the possession of earthly riches as a serious disadvantage. Yet Jesus also recognized the necessity of material possessions for life in this world. He received material blessings with gratitude and joy. He also taught that earthly riches, when given to the poor, can be a means of eternal investment and spiritual transformation.

How did He relate to the Father?
The relationship between Jesus and his Father is plainly stated by Jesus himself in John 5:17-37
Jesus is a reflection of his Father
Jesus is dependent on his Father
Jesus has faith in His Father’s love for him
The Father allows Jesus to see himself at work
Jesus trusts and has confidence in his Father
Jesus and his Father work together in the same business, the business of giving life, of bringing the dead to life
The Father gives great responsibility to Jesus
There’s no competitive spirit between Jesus and his Father
Jesus lives for his Father's will
Jesus' validation comes from his Father

How did He train His disciples?
Christ devoted a major part of his ministry to training the disciples to do the Father’s works and reflect his righteous nature. He prepared them to lead the church born in Pentecost.

Christ’s method of training was more action- oriented
Christ’s method of discipleship utilised signs and wonders
Jesus’ method of instruction was the 'rabbinic' method
Tennessee Walkers
A Willingness to Follow

As people who earnestly desire to be Jesus’ disciples, we learn by example and from actual experience to speak the words of Jesus and work the mighty confirming works of Jesus.

How did He died?
Severe stress, even before the abuse began
Torture by beating with Roman scourges
Crucifixion


Hung completely naked before the crowd, the pain and damage caused by crucifixion were designed to be so devilishly intense that one would continually long for death, but could linger for days with no relief.

Biblically, it is clear that Jesus chose and willed His moment of death. That moment was induced not by pain, emotional stress, heart attack, or any other, but by His will. Though fully human, He is also fully divine. As God, He could not die from external sources, but only of His own volition and will.

Jesus remained in this agony and shame, not because he was powerless, but because of his incredible love for humanity. He suffered to provide the needed way of salvation for you and me.
Picture posted by The Church of the Firstborn - Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
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http://church-of-the-firstborn.org/about/articles-of-faith/



How have you been imitating Christ in your attitudes and daily interactions? Read the questions listed on page 144 about the example of Christ in the Gospels. Take time to find answers from the Bible and share your insights with others.

Imitating Christ: A Biblical Imperative (vital importance) [1]
The emphasis that Francis, Ignatiusm and à Kempis placed on imitating Christ is a biblical one. The apostle Peter had exhorted his readers, saying, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21, emphasis added). Jesus was not only our divine Substitute, who bore our sins on the cross and took away our punishment and guilt, but is also our divine Example. As His disciples, we follow Him and emulate Him. As the apostle John said, "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did" (1 John 2:6). We cannot claim that we live in Christ if we do not demonstrate in our attitudes and behaviour something of Jesus' character and lifestyle.



Imitating Christ: A Biblical Imperative (vital importance)
PHOTO: Imitating Christ: A Biblical Imperative (vital importance)
The emphasis that Francis, Ignatiusm and à Kempis placed on imitating Christ is a biblical one. The apostle Peter had exhorted his readers, saying, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (
1 Peter 2:21). We cannot claim that we live in Christ if we do not demonstrate in our attitudes and behaviour something of Jesus' character and lifestyle.
Picture saved by Community Christian Church in Pinterest
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https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c5/88/8d/c5888deca9ea154246f1f189903cfba5.jpg
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/103864335132295917



Paul wrote, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children" (Ephesians 5:1, NASB, emphasis added). We are to imitate God because in Christ we are children of God. So we should be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:15), merciful as He is merciful (Luke 6:36), and perfect as He is perfect (Matthew 5:48). We imitate God by imitating Christ, who is not only God, but is also "the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3) and "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). When the disciple Philip asked Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us", Jesus replied, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:8-9, emphasis added).



We are to imitate God because in Christ we are children of God.
PHOTO: We are to imitate God because in Christ we are children of God. So we should be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:15), merciful as He is merciful Luke 6:36), and perfect as He is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
Picture posted by Couples gor Christ India
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https://cfci.org.in/call-to-holiness/



In other words, Jesus provides us with the visible face of the invisible God. We can hear God in our hearts and discern His actions in history, but we cannot see His face. When Jesus appeared, God became visible and more clearly audible. Those who met Jesus in person were specially privileged to see God face to face. The apostle John wrote about how the "Word of life" who was with the Father had "appeared to us" on earth (1 John 1:1-3).

After Jesus ascended to heaven, however, we were back to relating to an invisible God. Once again, we cannot see, touch, or hear Him in the same way the disciples and the crowds could. So what should we do now?



Jesus provides us with the visible face of the invisible God.
PHOTO: Jesus provides us with the visible face of the invisible God. We can hear God in our hearts and discern His actions in history, but we cannot see His face.
Artwork by yongsung kim - come to me
Picture posted by Immaculate Parish of the Heart of Mary, Sunday Homily on 03 October 2017

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The apostle Paul provides the answer: "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1, NKLV). Godly people provide us with a model for imitating Christ. We can observe them and learn from the way they seek to be like Jesus - in their discipline, priorities, and focus.


How have you been imitating Christ in your attitudes and daily interactions?
How to imitate Jesus [1]

We've seen how it can be easier to imitate godly people because we can see them and interact with them in a tangible way. God also appeared in human form when Jesus was born; for a while, Jesus provided us with a tangible, living, flesh-and-blood example to follow. Can we still learn from Him?

The answer lies in the Gospels, which record the life of Jesus. Through them, we can hear what He said and see what He did. The four gospels in the New Testament provide authentic, reliable portraits of Jesus. Notice that they do not tell us much about His physical characteristics - nobody knows how tall He was, whether He had long hair, or what His complexion was. These details may have been deliberately omitted because God didn't want us to obsess over His Son's physical attributes. Instead, the gaps in the portraits of Christ give us room to concentrate on His character and relationships, which lie at the heart of Christ-likeness.



Imitating Christ in our attitudes and daily interactions through the Gospels
PHOTO: Imitating Christ in our attitudes and daily interactions through the Gospels
Through the Gospels, which record the life of Jesus, we can hear what He said and see what He did. The four gospels in the New Testament provide authentic, reliable portraits of Jesus. We are to concentrate on His character and relationships, which lie at the heart of Christ-likeness.
Picture posted by Jorge Ruben@JorgeRuben_01

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https://twitter.com/jorgeruben_01



We can observe Jesus as He portrayed in the Bible and ask pertinent questions such as the following.


Read the questions listed on page 144 about the example of Christ in the Gospels. Take time to find answers from the Bible and share your insights with others.
How did Jesus pray? [2]
How Jesus prayed may be found in “The Lord’s Prayer” located in Matthew 6:5-15. This is the time when Jesus taught the disciples how to pray.



How did Jesus pray?
PHOTO: How did Jesus pray?
How Jesus prayed may be found in “The Lord’s Prayer” located in Matthew 6:5-15. This is the time when Jesus taught the disciples how to pray.
Picture posted by The Internet Church of Christ founded by Dr. Bob Benchoff
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http://www.angelfire.com/nb/38/jesus.html



Jesus loved His Father and communicated with Him often. He prayed for wisdom and guidance in His earthly ministry. He prayed for others to come to know Him as Savior and Lord. He prayed for the twelve disciples, that God would protect them from "the evil one". Jesus prayed for God to strengthen their ministry once He departed from them. He prayed with honesty and reverence. He prayed with joy and praise. But most of all, Jesus prayed with expectation. He knew the Father heard His prayers and would respond.

This should be our goal as believers: Pray as Jesus prayed. [2]


How did He handle people's unfaithfulness, ignorance, and treachery? [3]
We read in Hebrews that Jesus understands all that we encounter and are tempted with, yet did not sin in his own temptations. He pressed on to the task that he was called to by the Father. Though Jesus' internal struggle with Judas' betrayal is not recorded, we can assume that it was difficult for him emotionally. We know that he instructed Judas to do what he'd set his mind to. He didn't stop him or throw a fit. We also know that Jesus responded to Judas graciously. Jesus could never be accused of being a pushover, but he framed his response to Judas' betrayal with kindness and graciousness.



How did Jesus handle people's unfaithfulness, ignorance, and treachery?
PHOTO: How did Jesus handle people's unfaithfulness, ignorance, and treachery?
Though Jesus' internal struggle with Judas' betrayal is not recorded, we can assume that it was difficult for him emotionally. We know that he instructed Judas to do what he'd set his mind to. He didn't stop him or throw a fit. We also know that Jesus responded to Judas graciously. Jesus could never be accused of being a pushover, but he framed his response to Judas' betrayal with kindness and graciousness.

Picture posted by Wendy on Sunday, 03 April 2011 -  The Last Supper
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https://beinglds.blogspot.com/2011/04/walking-children-through-holy-week-by.html



If we have been betrayed by someone close to us—and eventually we all will—our first response should be to cry out to Jesus who loves us, pursues us, and intimately understands the reality of that betrayal. [3]


How did He respond to the crowds? [4]
For a time, Jesus was very popular with crowds. Many people came because they wanted Jesus to cure them. And Jesus did cure them. He told people not to speak about this, but they did. The news about him spread everywhere. There were miracles. For example, he fed 5000 people by a miracle (John 6:5-14). Enormous crowds came because of this. Then the crowd wanted to make Jesus king by force. He had to escape from them. But although he was popular, they did not really obey him. They did not want to change the way that they lived.



How did Jesus respond to the crowds?
PHOTO: How did Jesus respond to the crowds?
Jesus was very popular with crowds. Many people came because they wanted Jesus to cure them. And Jesus did cure them. He told people not to speak about this, but they did. The news about him spread everywhere. But although he was popular, they did not really obey him. They did not want to change the way that they lived.
Picture posted by n8tbro on 13 April 2013
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https://inspiredldstalks.com/2015/04/13/gathering-israel-through-missionary-work-by-prayerful-personal-preparation-and-seeking-after-the-one-2/



John 6:26, 27
Jesus said:I tell you the truth. The reason why you are looking for me is not the miracles. You are looking for me because I gave you plenty of bread to eat.

Do not work for food that becomes bad. Work for the food that gives you eternal life.
[Jesus did not mean the food that you eat, here. This word 'food' really meant Jesus himself. 'Eternal life' is the life that God gives to believers now, and which will continue in heaven.] The Son of Man [Jesus] will give you this food. God the Father has shown that he approves of him’.

After this, Jesus said some very difficult things. That made many people decide not to obey him (John 6:66). [4] Jesus respond is to do the will of God and not to gain popularity with people for himself.


What did He focus His energies on?
Jesus focus His energies on carrying out the Father's will.  It was His driving passion, and it outweighed all His other needs or wants. In the end, He even gave up His life to accomplish His Father's work. Nothing held Him back. [5]


Jesus focus His energies on carrying out the Father's will.
PHOTO: Jesus focus His energies on carrying out the Father's will.  It was His driving passion, and it outweighed all His other needs or wants. In the end, He even gave up His life to accomplish His Father's work. Nothing held Him back.
What is the "will of my Father"? Doing God's will is simply this: believing in Jesus (John 6:40).
Picture posted by Jesus Christ Cross Wallpapers on 31 October 2016
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/05/reflection-doing-his-will-desire-to-do.html



Fulfilling His Father's will was His biggest priority and central passion. He embraced only His Father's plan, which led to the cross. "I seek not to please myself but him who sent me," He publicly testified (John 5:30), "I always do what pleases him" (John 8:29). Throughout His life, Jesus displayed commitment to the Father that was wholehearted and consistent - right up to His death. [6]

Jesus himself said in John 6:38-40, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believe in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Jesus had come to seek out and save those who were lost. It must have filled Him with much joy to see sinners turn in repentance and faith to God.


As part of God's family, we must share in what Christ did: taking up His yoke and doing the will of the Father.
PHOTO: As part of God's family, we must share in what Christ did: taking up His yoke and doing the will of the Father. But we need to do this with the right motive and desire, and we need to ensure that it is God's will we follow - not our own or that of others.
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/05/reflection-doing-his-will-desire-to-do.html



 As part of God's family, we must share in what Christ did: taking up His yoke and doing the will of the Father. But we need to do this with the right motive and desire, and we need to ensure that it is God's will we follow - not our own or that of others. [5]


How did He teach and preach? [6]
During His ministry on earth, Jesus taught as no one else had done before. Those who heard Him saw the distinct difference - He taught "as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law" (Matthew 7:28-29). He taught people wonderful lessons for life. Using parables and simple language, He introduced them to deep truths about God and His relationship with human beings.


During His ministry on earth, Jesus taught as no one else had done before.
PHOTO: During His ministry on earth, Jesus taught as no one else had done before. He taught people wonderful lessons for life. Using parables and simple language, He introduced them to deep truths about God and His relationship with human beings.
Picture posted by presentica.com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnX_jOtPX4WEJi-uodNIuzLMhdpSxpAE3QSj9GTIiWPuRfz1YUXzd7Os1qbcvjR5hySxabD4iaEFaZpQfXgFecHwJUGRAUSMoT7n2Tz3jU3UsqBXUNsv2ryIQ4D4giHaCVI9URiHvzgl0/s1600/jesus-the-parables-l.jpg

http://image.presentica.com/272211/jesus-the-parables-l.jpg
http://seafoodnet.info/?k=TEACHING+THROUGH+PARABLES++FOLLOWING+JESUS
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/07/reflection-intimacy-with-christ-divine.html



To learn from the divine Teacher, however, we first have to go to Him and remain in His presence. The person who wanders away from Christ and refuses to come under His authority leaves Jesus' classroom: he ceased to be a student and disciple. [6]


 
There is something about Jesus that attracted people; He spoke in a way that touched hearts and souls.PHOTO: There is something about Jesus that attracted people; He spoke in a way that touched hearts and souls. To learn from the divine Teacher, however, we first have to go to Him and remain in His presence. The person who wanders away from Christ and refuses to come under His authority leaves Jesus' classroom: he ceased to be a student and disciple.
Picture posted by Gary Boyd on Sunday, 12 November 2017
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVw1eFxurB5I_rwRe2G8Iw5xt1k9hWlTzigiFECPwOVCGTQJ_ESr1era30ETijDsdG05UN78xobuKxQ3m4FOZqmHLUPt11-rTCUhVsQOaF-uSOFJXcbAgHpnNdrLYUQ7Iz3BgdxHHaQw/s1600/Running+to+Jesus.jpg
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http://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-marriage-of-christ-to-his-true.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/07/reflection-intimacy-with-christ-divine.html



How did He handle suffering? [7]
Jesus models for us how to handle suffering and injustice. The key principle is not to retaliate in spite or revenge. Jesus knew what His mission was and He stayed focused in the midst of reprobates (unprincipled persons) thinking they determined His destiny and death (Isaiah 53:7; Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Look to Him; Jesus kept His composure, focusing on God, and did not allow anyone to distract Him from His purpose (1 Peter 2:18-23). He did not allow them to provoke Him to lose His focus, and thus repaid their evil. He would have been just in doing so, but the result would have neutered the plan for our redemption.



How did Jesus handle suffering?
PHOTO: How did Jesus handle suffering?
Jesus models for us how to handle suffering and injustice. The key principle is not to retaliate in spite or revenge. Jesus knew what His mission was and He stayed focused in the midst of reprobates (unprincipled persons) thinking they determined His destiny and death (
Isaiah 53:7; Ecclesiastes 3:7). Look to Him; Jesus kept His composure, focusing on God, and did not allow anyone to distract Him from His purpose - to suffer and die for our sins.
Picture posted by Michelle Sherlock on 29 March 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEfuSGBOcWRVojykIGF_7JFeB1hzoBY2rUfxrNwHXG1QuGGW5pTw0Hv59ezbcRqLlNu5zStcURu5IztnOXZGNjB0Jx2okK8r824ah11gDx08knQMssrym_gCpPkbn2pKjWLoXPpElQSY/s1600/suffering.jpg
https://looking4godtoday.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/suffering.jpg
https://looking4godtoday.wordpress.com/2015/03/29/ten-tips-on-finding-god-in-the-midst-of-suffering/



He dealt with our sin here and all the way to the cross; we are to receive His grace and continue to look to Him to do away with our sin - not look to ourselves or to circumstances. If not, even if pride does not get us, compromise will! It will take over our integrity and we will lose. [7]


How did He respond to sinners? What was His attitude to sin? [8]
Jesus showed mercy to the one caught in sin
One day Jesus was teaching crowds of people in the temple, and religious leaders brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to him, and set her in front of the crowd accusing her - asking Jesus what should be done with her.



One day Jesus was teaching crowds of people in the temple, and religious leaders brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to him.
PHOTO: One day Jesus was teaching crowds of people in the temple, and religious leaders brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to him.
Picture posted by LDS.org, Intellectual Reserve,Inc. on 18 March 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishvPuxUwC6XcUsT92Mb4MduhHXl7XhW3Azp-qPiOQ4TfL70migOQXmRZqonwX6xtYdOFLs9xivCfhuna3qEWQMsB5JOqrvYxE0jJWJS9rCeilnMVZmiRAuJrFupc5HqdPpSQh5wQvcU4/s1600/AV120412_cah0076-900-1.jpg
https://www.lds.org/bc/content/bible-videos/videos/go-and-sin-no-more/images/AV120412_cah0076-900.jpg
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/go-and-sin-no-more?lang=yue&clang=ita#gallery=img-12
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/go-and-sin-no-more?lang=yue&clang=ita#gallery=



The religious leaders set the woman in front of the crowd accusing her of adultery - asking Jesus what should be done with her.
PHOTO: The religious leaders set the woman in front of the crowd accusing her of adultery - asking Jesus what should be done with her.
Picture posted by LDS.org
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS8RwRqezTl4RLzavcm4XyDkP-PluMrV-X88qDPGh9tcJ05mcqOaxV9YhRBQGd9bnY12u7iumwQtrCgbS5pf6uuGQL0q1QLfPOONTDQvDKHTUYfPqppeVxi1rAH_eVCj1ZkGrpoE2g3M/s1600/AV120412_cah0084.jpg
https://www.lds.org/bc/content/bible-videos/videos/go-and-sin-no-more/images/AV120412_cah0084.jpg
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/go-and-sin-no-more?lang=eng
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2015/04/reflection-are-we-all-equal.html



Jesus does the weirdest thing, something that still leaves Bible experts confounded. He doesn't respond at first... he literally stoops down and starts writing in the dust on the floor.

They kept demanding an answer, and Jesus finally stood up and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone."



They kept demanding an answer, and Jesus finally stood up and said, 'All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.'
PHOTO: They kept demanding an answer, and Jesus finally stood up and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone."
Picture saved by Access-Jesus.com
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https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/397301998348611519



Then he stooped down and kept writing in the dust!

One by one, the crowd began to leave. The Scripture says, "beginning with the oldest." The oldest likely left first because they had realized over the years how weak and vulnerable they were to sin themselves, and how many times they had failed throughout their life to adhere to God's law.

What was Jesus writing in that dust? It's almost like Jesus didn't draw a line in the sand for the sinner. Instead, maybe he was writing the sins of the various religious leaders or crowd members in the dust? Maybe he was pointing out that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) or "if anyone claims to be without sin, they are a liar and the truth is not in them" (1 John 1:8-10)

Either way, weird, right?!

Jesus shows overwhelming, astonishing mercy to this woman caught in sin. His response to her after every single person had left like dogs with their tails caught between their legs, was...

"Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?

No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.


How did Jesus respond to sinners? What was His attitude to sin?
PHOTO: How did Jesus respond to sinners? What was His attitude to sin?
They kept demanding an answer, and Jesus finally stood up and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone." One by one, the crowd began to leave. The Scripture says, "beginning with the oldest."
Jesus showed mercy to the one caught in sin.
"Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?
No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.
Picture from Central Valley SDA Church, A Love that Transforms
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Dzucbfcq8ajNkAOhyGqhhKXX2Uo8xCo-iNvP-_SygEuiNLSfdyiylKnzjOFSlEk1Csv9vjRlRrjFOHRVMEU2k6Z_7C572q101QNNYiqQWPs7XihwEcwIdigWsBY_3_7PohmDTSYahzs/s1600/Adulterous.jpg
http://centralvalley.adventistfaith.org/site_data/%3Csite_id%3E/poster_images/0000/0217/Adulterous.jpg
http://centralvalley.adventistfaith.org/revelation-of-hope-seminar
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2015/04/reflection-are-we-all-equal.html



In a very real sense, Jesus shows overwhelming, astonishing mercy and undeserved grace to sinners, and yet Jesus send the self-righteous scurrying off like dogs with tails caught between their legs.

Jesus doesn't give her a free-pass to remain in her sin. He tells her to "sin no more." With another man Jesus encountered, Jesus says, "Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you." (John 5:14)

So Jesus doesn't condone the sin, but He also doesn't condemn the sinner. He is the only One who can rightly condemn, and yet he offers overwhelming, astonishing grace to all of us.


Magdalena (1870)
PHOTO: So Jesus doesn't condone the sin, but He also doesn't condemn the sinner. He is the only One who can rightly condemn, and yet he offers overwhelming, astonishing grace to all of us.
Picture by Antonio Ciseri - Magdalena (1870)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2U5BG4ZtXUB9OTlBHCWYq2wa8mgxHeDdiwjlxOhowr4jUJ1VgXL0a5_DZ1fC8Za1SgSSN_sWRQkJnEGdqKiNmymIkVkXkWvM7f6D611mQqiC7PsNaZIgusYq3p3_W52auNLUmUe-Cgbk/s1600/tumblr_n3qdxkUycz1roedt4o1_500.jpg
http://41.media.tumblr.com/65ceb62dffe7eda7ffc2df647d562909/tumblr_n3qdxkUycz1roedt4o1_500.jpg
http://colourthysoul.tumblr.com/post/82126236094/antonio-ciseri-magdalena-1870
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2015/04/reflection-are-we-all-equal.html



While many Christians are out condemning sinners, Jesus did the opposite - He gave His very life to bear sinners' sin and condemnation on the cross - for all who would trust in Him. [8]


How did He respond to hypocrites? [9]
God hates religious fakery.  Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees illustrates
their unacceptable hypocrisy. But, going beyond simply calling Pharisees hypocrites, Jesus paints a disturbing picture:

"You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matthew 23:27-28)


The Pharisees' philosophies and ways had greatly destructive effects and wide-ranging consequences, and had to be challenged within individual hearts and society at large.
PHOTO: The Pharisees' philosophies and ways had greatly destructive effects and wide-ranging consequences, and had to be challenged within individual hearts and society at large. God hates religious fakery.  Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees illustrates their unacceptable hypocrisy.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
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https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/502014188/univ/art/502014188_univ_cnt_1_xl.jpg
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/kingdom-in-heart/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/search?q=christian+donation



Here, Jesus gives us not only a powerful denunciation, but a good definition of hypocrisy. Although the Pharisees had claimed to love God and care for his people, the ones he spoke to were really only interested in appearing godly so as to amass power and influence. They claimed to believe something and made sure that they were perceived as following through. Sadly, they did not actually live it.

In essence, hypocrisy is simply claiming to be something that you’re not. Scripture speaks so harshly about hypocrisy. Hypocrisy makes a mockery of God and his church. It says that, like humans, God can be fooled by our outward show and cannot see our heart. It teaches that when Christians speak of conversion and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, these are not really essential to following Christ if we just put on a good outward appearance of these things.


Jesus gives us not only a powerful denunciation, but a good definition of hypocrisy.
PHOTO: Jesus gives us not only a powerful denunciation, but a good definition of hypocrisy. Although the Pharisees had claimed to love God and care for his people, the ones he spoke to were really only interested in appearing godly so as to amass power and influence. They claimed to believe something and made sure that they were perceived as following through. Sadly, they did not actually live it. This is condemned by God as attempting to be righteous in the wrong way.
Picture posted by Bible History Online
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http://www.bible-history.com/studybible/images/prayer-shawl-phylactery-color-n-9t.jpg
http://www.bible-history.com/studybible/Matthew/23/5/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2016/11/reflection-overrighteous-and-overwise.html



The tragic reality for hypocrites is that God sees past their “whitewashed tombs” to the true state of their souls. God is not mocked. He sees all (see Galatians 6:7-8).

Christians are hypocrites when we act contrary to what we say.

We are hypocrites when we give the appearance of faith, but our actions reveal a heart that is more concerned with something other than God (money, power, security, etc.).

 

How did Jesus respond to hypocrites?
PHOTO: How did Jesus respond to hypocrites?
Christians are hypocrites when we act contrary to what we say. We are hypocrites when we give the appearance of faith, but our actions reveal a heart that is more concerned with something other than God (money, power, security, etc.). Scripture speaks so harshly about hypocrisy. Hypocrisy makes a mockery of God and his church.
Picture posted by The Church of Almighty God on 04 July 2017

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJoQ-lZPBZP98lmduoTZiQpDB34uGkfWCLbDOJy_gpL1_Om3qxwfHLvmNEByH8cKpj07yw4BsKybxoKo8WqSSiwI2r_GonRlvFX2mWRyyrbCXGG6SmnEklBD3ewCXGH76YOh7EspJQGw/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RwC8QM_19uY/maxresdefault.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwC8QM_19uY



Hypocrisy is when we make claims of love, yet our cultural engagement comes from places of bitterness, pride and win-at-all costs attitudes that betray our unloving hearts. Hypocrisy is when we use our theology as a justification for ignoring pain and suffering.

As we watch the hypocrisy of others, it’s a good time to ask, “Where are we being hypocritical?It’s appropriate to respond to hypocrisy with anger, but we must also respond with humility. [9]


How did He respond to His disciples? [10]
Jesus knew His disciples well. He knew how they were often slow to learn and understand, so He would augment His public lectures with a private tutorial for His perplexed students. "He did not say anything to them without using parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything" (Mark 4:34, emphasis added). But still, it seemed, the disciples failed to understand.


How did Jesus respond to His disciples?
PHOTO: How did Jesus respond to His disciples?
Jesus knew His disciples well. He knew how they were often slow to learn and understand, so He would augment His public lectures with a private tutorial for His perplexed students. When he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. But still, it seemed, the disciples failed to understand.
Picture posted by slideplayer.com
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https://images.slideplayer.com/25/8100716/slides/slide_7.jpg
https://slideplayer.com/slide/8100716/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/07/reflection-instructed-by-christ-slow.html



At times, it must really have been exasperating for the Lord to have such slow students. Once, after He warned His disciples about "the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod" (Mark 8:15) and they failed to comprehend what He was referring to, He asked them "Do you still not see or understand?" (Mark 8:17). He then proceeded to give more explanation, and asked again, possibly with some degree of exasperation, "Do you still not understand?" (Mark 8:21).

We must be wondering if Jesus' disciples had learnt anything. After all, their hearts were hardened, they were at times overcome by panic and terror, their minds were often distracted, and they were sleepy at the most critical times.

We should remember that we are often just as bad as the disciples were - slow to learn from Jesus because we miss the point of His lessons, ask the wrong questions, become distracted by our own prejudices and fears, and have a hardened heart that stops us from drawing deep insights from His teaching. How many times has the Lord needed to repeat His lesson because we did not understand? Do we exasperate Him too when we fail to improve? [10]

 

We should remember that we are often just as bad as the disciples were
PHOTO: We should remember that we are often just as bad as the disciples were - slow to learn from Jesus because we miss the point of His lessons, ask the wrong questions, become distracted by our own prejudices and fears, and have a hardened heart that stops us from drawing deep insights from His teaching.
Picture posted by Command Your Life Academy

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https://commandyourlifeacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/chang-liu-394283-unsplash.jpg
https://commandyourlifeacademy.com/testimonials/



How did He respond to His mother and siblings? [5]
We can see just how important it is to do God's will from what Jesus said when His earthly mother and brothers came looking for Him in the midst of ministering to people in a house (Mark 3:31-35). Unable to get past the crowd, they asked someone to let Him know that they were waiting outside. Jesus took this opportunity to teach His listeners an important lesson. "Who are my mother and my brothers?" He asked (Mark 3:33). The crowd must have whispered among themselves, wondering why Jesus was treating his own family like strangers. Knowing that the Lord often said unexpected things, they waited to see what He would say next. They were not disappointed; looking around at them all, Jesus remarked, "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35).


We can see just how important it is to do God's will from what Jesus said when His earthly mother and brothers came looking for Him in the midst of ministering to people in a house.
PHOTO: We can see just how important it is to do God's will from what Jesus said when His earthly mother and brothers came looking for Him in the midst of ministering to people in a house. "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:35).
Picture saved by Bob Mowery to The Bible (Pinterest)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAVXGXY0EXjHVfGTSWeUrMD2hyphenhyphenPbjH9atgKQQcoeJdA33QR7Ib7qWqx-5yTfLIWFUoU9ofNCayvpSCNbGyfaM6q4Un1AaBtNp0t7F8h4llZhE6RaxEtetXeKzaoIv2rpWClzwvkuL9GY/s1600/62813c39346b57effd5471b7cf2dce4e.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/62/81/3c/62813c39346b57effd5471b7cf2dce4e.jpg
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/261138478363388533/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/05/reflection-doing-his-will-desire-to-do.html



While Jesus most likely did welcome His family into the house later - He certainly did not disown them - He had taught an essential lesson about putting on His yoke. It is not just about dutifully attending church, giving tithes, or attending Bible study, but also submitting to God by obeying Him and doing His will. As part of God's family, we must share in what Christ did: taking up His yoke and doing the will of the Father. But we need to do this with the right motive and desire, and we need to ensure that it is God's will we follow - not our own or that of others. [5]


How did He handle oppositions? What did He do when unjustly criticised and accused? [11]
They stalked his disciples (Luke 6:1-2)
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely. (Luke 6:7).

They criticised his behaviour (Luke 6:2)
They asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful…” (Luke 6:2). They were seeking to weaken and inhibit Jesus and his disciples, by criticising them,  to intimidate and make them feel guilty. This is Strategy to “Create a threatening presence - deterring strategies”. Stalking his disciples with a critical spirit.

They condemned His values (Luke 6:2)
Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” This is the “Righteous Strategy” - claiming the moral high ground and questioning your opponent’s motives. For them, doing things right was more important than doing the right things. Their rules and traditions about what you could and couldn’t do on a Sabbath mattered more to them than the Spirit and Scripture. Stalking his disciples with a critical spirit, appealing to tradition, condemning their values. When Jesus refused to be intimidated or back down,



The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus.
PHOTO: The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus. They stalked his disciples, criticised his behaviour, condemned His values and conspired to destroy him.
Picture posted by 888‏@space888between on 19 April 2018 at 4:59 PM

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1nUmlargfHKcETfMY0WaJtIOFc5v0mLlisifE3tp5gcAGlP8yIc8Kc37DtR_tq-Dstu2FU7pJEgi9l3S1Uy_x2L1Ulz1Si-iVJGR40cs66QgwjuENcpSaFE18CJE0kI1K9eCaHqCvho/s1600/DbLzB-PV4AAguHe.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DbLzB-PV4AAguHe.jpg
https://twitter.com/space888between/status/987118500735926272



They conspired to destroy him (Luke 6:11)
But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.” (Luke 6:11).
Mark adds “the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” (Mark 3:6)

This blatant act was too much for them to take, so they became wild with rage. Jesus had flouted their laws, overruled their authority, and exposed the hatred in their hearts to the entire crowd in the synagogue. They were so jealous of Jesus' popularity, his miracles, and the authority in his teaching and actions that they missed who he was -- the Messiah for whom they had been waiting.

They refused to acknowledge Jesus because they were not willing to give up their treasured position and power. When Jesus exposed their attitudes, he became their enemy, and they began looking for ways to destroy him.



Jesus had flouted their laws, overruled the Pharisees' authority, and exposed the hatred in their hearts to the entire crowd in the synagogue.

PHOTO: Jesus had flouted their laws, overruled the Pharisees' authority, and exposed the hatred in their hearts to the entire crowd in the synagogue. They were so jealous of Jesus' popularity, his miracles, and the authority in his teaching and actions. The Pharisees refused to acknowledge Jesus because they were not willing to give up their treasured position and power. When Jesus exposed their attitudes, he became their enemy, and they began looking for ways to destroy him.
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Jesus countered their hypocrisy with Scripture (Luke 6:3-5)
Jesus answered them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Luke 6:3-5)

The Pharisees would have been taken aback by Jesus' question "Have you not read...” They were professional students of the law. This was their high calling in life, their claim to fame. Jesus began by asking these scholars if they had ever even read the text to which He referred. It is His way of saying,
Your question is a very elementary one, and one that reveals a very poor grasp of the Scriptures.” These words must have come as a slap in the face to the proud students of the law.



Jesus countered their hypocrisy with Scripture (Luke 6:3-5)

PHOTO: Jesus countered their hypocrisy with Scripture (Luke 6:3-5)
The Pharisees were professional students of the law. This was their high calling in life, their claim to fame. Jesus began by asking these scholars if they had ever even read the text to which He referred. It is His way of saying, “Your question is a very elementary one, and one that reveals a very poor grasp of the Scriptures.” These words must have come as a slap in the face to the proud students of the law.
Picture posted by Devotion to Our Lady
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The loaves given to David were the old loaves that had just been replaced with fresh ones. Although the priests were the only ones allowed to eat this bread, God did not punish David because his need for food was more important than the priestly regulations. By comparing himself and his disciples to David and his men, Jesus was saying, in effect, "If you condemn me, you must also condemn David."

Jesus was not condoning disobedience to God's laws. Instead, he was emphasizing discernment and compassion in enforcing the ceremonial laws, something the self-righteous Pharisees did not comprehend. People's needs are more important than technicalities.



Jesus was not condoning disobedience to God's laws.

PHOTO: Jesus was not condoning disobedience to God's laws. Instead, he was emphasizing discernment and compassion in enforcing the ceremonial laws, something the self-righteous Pharisees did not comprehend. People's needs are more important than technicalities.
Picture posted by Lm. Hiền Lâm, Redemptorist Pastoral Center on Saturday, 25 August 2018 at 17:00:02

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The religious leaders had, in fact, made themselves lords of the Sabbath and thus lords over the people. By claiming the title of the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus was stating his divinity and confronting the position of the religious leaders. By remaking the Sabbath into a day of refreshment, worship, and healing, he pried open the tightfisted control the Pharisees held on the people. He deal with the causes of opposition not the symptoms and seek reconciliation.

Jesus countered the opposition's hypocrisy with Scripture.

The Scriptures are to be our only offensive weapon, not our pen or our word processor, not our tongue, and least of all the back of our hand. The Scriptures are the sword of the Spirit. The Word of God in the hands of the Spirit of God, will cut through every human argument, every false premise, every deceitful scheme. What is our part in this? “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Get to know the Scriptures - read it with God every day - ask him to help us understand it and apply it.



The Scriptures are to be our only offensive weapon, not our pen or our word processor, not our tongue, and least of all the back of our hand.

PHOTO: The Scriptures are to be our only offensive weapon, not our pen or our word processor, not our tongue, and least of all the back of our hand. The Scriptures are the sword of the Spirit. The Word of God in the hands of the Spirit of God, will cut through every human argument, every false premise, every deceitful scheme.
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As the Son of God, Jesus countered their hypocrisy with Scripture. Jesus challenged their motives with substance by healing the man with the shriveled hand. The Pharisees used religion to judge and condemn others instead of reaching out to them with loving concern and the truth of the gospel. Jesus is seeking a change of heart and mind in his opponents, not just to win an argument. His desire is to bring them to repentance and faith, so they can experience forgiveness and reconciliation. And that must be our motivation with our opponents also.



The Pharisees used religion to judge and condemn others instead of reaching out to them with loving concern and the truth of the gospel.

PHOTO: The Pharisees used religion to judge and condemn others instead of reaching out to them with loving concern and the truth of the gospel. Jesus is seeking a change of heart and mind in his opponents, not just to win an argument. His desire is to bring them to repentance and faith, so they can experience forgiveness and reconciliation. And that must be our motivation with our opponents also.
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Jesus channelled his passion into saving. This is the only time we see Jesus perform a miracle while angry. He is angry and in deep distress. He channels his deep emotion, all his anger, all his distress into what? He does not call down fire from heaven to wipe them out. Jesus miraculously restored the man with the shriveled hand. God insists,Do not repay anyone evil for evil… do not take revenge… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17). Jesus said “I have come to seek and save the lost” and he would not allow the opposition with their legalism, their traditionalism to side track him from his purposes, or to deflect him from his mission.



Jesus channelled his passion into saving.

PHOTO: Jesus channelled his passion into saving. He channels his deep emotion, all his anger, all his distress into what? He does not call down fire from heaven to wipe them out. God insists, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… do not take revenge… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17). Jesus said “I have come to seek and save the lost” and he would not allow the opposition with their legalism, their traditionalism to side track him from his purposes, or to deflect him from his mission.
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How should we handle opposition as children of God? Don’t let people impose their traditions on us - live by God’s Word. Deal with the causes of opposition not the symptoms and seek reconciliation. Don’t let anyone deter us or anything to distract us from fulfilling God’s purposes and completing our mission - to know Jesus and make Jesus known. We were made for a mission so take and create opportunities to share the Good News of how Jesus Christ died on the cross for us. [11]


How did He respond to the poor? The sick? [12]
Jesus called us to treat each poor person with dignity. In Jesus' time, and probably ours, people who were poor were considered second class citizens. Others avoided them. They stayed away from them. That was not true with Jesus. He addresses his disciples: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)" "Blessed," he calls the poor "blessed"; in other words, favoured by God. He was announcing that in his kingdom the poor are not despised, not considered sinful, and not looked down upon, just because they have little or no money.  In his kingdom, the poor are people of value.


How did He respond to the poor?PHOTO: How did He respond to the poor?
Jesus called us to treat each poor person with dignity. In Jesus' time, and probably ours, people who were poor were considered second class citizens. Others avoided them. They stayed away from them. That was not true with Jesus.  "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)"  He was announcing that in his kingdom the poor are not despised, not considered sinful, and not looked down upon, just because they have little or no money.  In his kingdom, the poor are people of value.
Picture posted by 3 Dimensional Custom Print Wallpaper on 01 March 2016

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Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons from people. Quite frankly, that was why many were in great need. They couldn't work; thus, they couldn't make money or grow food. So, by Jesus healing people, they could "return to work" to produce enough wealth to subsist on. Thus, Jesus went to the root of their poverty.

Jesus taught that if we ever throw a party or banquet, "invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. (Luke 14:13-14)" Break down those socioeconomic barriers and fellowship with the poor and we will be divinely favoured.

Jesus taught his followers to value those who are poor. So, as we read the book of Acts and the founding of the church, and as we read the epistles of Paul, we see that the followers of Jesus, those in Jesus' kingdom, cared and ministered to the poor, especially to those in the church. It was one of their priorities.



Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons from people.

PHOTO: Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons from people. Quite frankly, that was why many were in great need. They couldn't work; thus, they couldn't make money or grow food. So, by Jesus healing people, they could "return to work" to produce enough wealth to subsist on. Thus, Jesus went to the root of their poverty.
Picture posted by Mormon Channel on 26 Nov 2014 - Jesus brings Jairus' Dead Daughter Back to Life
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfvzTm1mOCQ



And He took her by the hand and called, saying, 'Little girl, arise!' (Luke 8:54)

PHOTO: And He took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise!” (Luke 8:54)
Gustave Dore's Illustration.
Picture posted by Luzius Schneider on February 2008 - Jesus Raising Up The Daughter Of Jairus Dore
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So, how did Jesus treat the poor? He valued them as individuals. He didn't get involved in politics to change the laws; he didn't create a Marxist revolution; he didn't go around tossing money at them, after all, he was poor himself. But yet, he valued them.  He spoke with them. He enjoyed their company. He addressed their need and healed them. He invited them into his kingdom where there is no classification of rich and poor. Maybe, that should be part of our answer. [12]


How did He handle temptation? [13]
We can barely stand to fast for a day or two. Can you imagine fasting 40 days? Jesus did so in preparation for temptation—and became desperately hungry and needy. And in His moment of need, the devil slipped in. (Satan waits for moments like these.)

"If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread" (Luke 4:3). The devil is no idiot—and also no gentleman. When he tempts, he plays dirty. No rules. No concessions. No mercy. In a moment of vulnerability, Satan tempted Jesus to satisfy His legitimate need for food in an illegitimate way. It's as if Satan said: "Turn this stone to bread—use your power to gratify your need."



Satan tempted Jesus to satisfy His legitimate need for food in an illegitimate way.

PHOTO: Satan tempted Jesus to satisfy His legitimate need for food in an illegitimate way. "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread" (Luke 4:3).
Picture posted by Warner Home Ministry
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What a cheap shot. Every stone would then become a temptation. And believe me, the wilderness of Judea has plenty of stones! Jesus’ reply shows that—though He was physically hungry—He was spiritually full:
"It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone'" (Luke 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3). [13]


Although Jesus was physically hungry, He was spiritually full:

PHOTO: Although Jesus was physically hungry, He was spiritually full: "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone'" (Luke 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3).
Picture posted by rainbowtoken.com on 26 May 2018
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The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours." (Luke 4:6-7)
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" (Luke 4:8, Deuteronomy  6:13)



The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

PHOTO: The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours." (Luke 4:6-7)
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Jesus answered, 'It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'' (Luke 4:8, Deuteronomy  6:13)

PHOTO: Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" (Luke 4:8, Deuteronomy  6:13)
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The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written:
"'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'
" {Luke 4:10-11, Psalm 91:11,12)
Jesus answered, "It is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Luke 4:12, Deuteronomy 6:16)



The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.

PHOTO: The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written:
"'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'
" {Luke 4:10-11, Psalm 91:11,12)
Artwork by James Tissot - Temptations of Jesus (1895)
Picture saved by Michael Hyland in Pinterest

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Jesus answered, 'It is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'' (Luke 4:12, Deuteronomy 6:16)

PHOTO: Jesus answered, "It is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Luke 4:12, Deuteronomy 6:16)
Picture posted by Trudi on Monday, 25 January 2016 at 9:25 AM
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What had Jesus, the meek and mild carpenter, been doing all those silent years growing up in Nazareth? We just saw it. His first words revealed it to us. "It is written". Jesus grew up with a hammer in one hand and a scroll in the other. He prepared for three-and-a-half years of ministry by spending about three-and-a-half decades memorizing portions of the Word of God.

Jesus’ attention to the Word of God gave Him a spiritual reservoir to draw from in time of temptation. The Scriptures can do the same for us.



Jesus, the meek and mild carpenter, had been memorizing portions of the Word of God. Jesus grew up with a hammer in one hand and a scroll in the other.

PHOTO: Jesus, the meek and mild carpenter, had been memorizing portions of the Word of God. Jesus grew up with a hammer in one hand and a scroll in the other.
Artwork by Simon Dewey
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Some actions we can take to resist temptation like Jesus:
Determine to commit portions of the Word of God to memory. Get a friend to hold us accountable.
Meditate on the verse in our mind throughout the day. The goal is the renewal of our mind (Romans 12:1-2).
When tempted, quote the verses out loud, remembering they are true and the temptation offers a lie.
If we find ourself tempted in the same areas repeatedly, learn verses that speak to that topic


How did He handle God's Word? What was His attitude to the Law? [14]
Jesus quoted Old Testament scripture as if it was authoritative. He quoted it to reveal and combat the lies of Satan. He referred to scriptural passages and stories as support for his teaching. He quoted scripture to resolve theological disputes. He said that the words in the Jewish scripture, commonly referred to as “the Law and the Prophets,were lasting and authoritative. His words:

"Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished." (Matthew 5:17-18)



How did He handle God's Word? What was His attitude to the Law?

PHOTO: How did He handle God's Word? What was His attitude to the Law?
Jesus quoted Old Testament scripture as if it was authoritative. He quoted it to reveal and combat the lies of Satan. He referred to scriptural passages and stories as support for his teaching.
He said that the words in the Jewish scripture, commonly referred to as “the Law and the Prophets,were lasting and authoritative.
Jesus came not to destroy these laws but to fulfill it by His suffering and death on the cross. If man since the time of Adam and Eve had not transgressed the law of God, there would have been no death, and no need of a Saviour; consequently there would have been no need of sacrifices.
Picture posted by Davi P. Silva, The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1077 on 28 June 2017

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http://sdarm.org/files/news/2017/two-law_large.jpg
http://sdarm.org/news-events/news/2017-06-28/two-covenants



New Testament scholar Scot McKnight put it plainly:
"The Bible is not flat; the Bible points to Jesus so to Jesus we must go! …It was Jesus himself – a person, born, living, teaching, acting, miracles, and all that, then dying and then rising and then glorified – who evoked faith and who then led to Scriptures through the Spirit and then guided the Church into those Scriptures. . . . "



The Bible is not flat; the Bible points to Jesus so to Jesus we must go! …It was Jesus himself – a person, born, living, teaching, acting, miracles, and all that, then dying and then rising and then glorified – who evoked faith and who then led to Scriptures through the Spirit and then guided the Church into those Scriptures. . . .

PHOTO: "The Bible is not flat; the Bible points to Jesus so to Jesus we must go! …It was Jesus himself – a person, born, living, teaching, acting, miracles, and all that, then dying and then rising and then glorified – who evoked faith and who then led to Scriptures through the Spirit and then guided the Church into those Scriptures. . . . "
Picture posted by John 3:16, Labels: Isaiah 53:7-9 on 28 March 2017
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http://jesusisgod316.blogspot.com/2017/03/isaiah-537-9-israels-account-about.html



The governing principle for us to accurately read scripture and obey it, as told by Jesus:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands." (Matthew 22:35-40, Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18) [14]


What was His attitude to the downtrodden? [15]
Jesus healed the blind man on the Sabbath and broke the laws against working by making clay and by healing. The rest of John 9 after the first 5 verses is the stormy story of conflict over legalistic religion. The issues in this story are amazingly contemporary: incurable illness, family rejection, conflicts over religion, fear of authority, ignorant and heartless religious leaders, misplaced judgment, and the determination of Jesus to cut through all of the confusion to accept and encourage the man when he was cast out as a sinner! Jesus accepts us when religion doesn't.



What was His attitude to the downtrodden?

PHOTO: What was His attitude to the downtrodden?
Jesus healed the blind man on the Sabbath and broke the laws against working by making clay and by healing. The rest of John 9 after the first 5 verses is the stormy story of conflict over legalistic religion. The issues in this story are amazingly contemporary: incurable illness, family rejection, conflicts over religion, fear of authority, ignorant and heartless religious leaders, misplaced judgment, and the determination of Jesus to cut through all of the confusion to accept and encourage the man when he was cast out as a sinner! Jesus accepts us when religion doesn't.
Picture saved by Paul Auyeung, Pinterest - When You are at your Lowest, Reach Up. What a great blessing that is.
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https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/20618110767732321



The parents of the one born blind avoided defending their own child for fear of offending judgmental religious leaders. The Jewish leaders, already decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. The religious leaders rebuked the 'rebel' and threw him out.  Jesus searched for the religious reject, found and encouraged him.  Rejected people need someone to care. All of us need encouragement.

Those abusive and oppressive legalistic Pharisees and the teachers of the law left out marginal and undesirable people. Jesus did not waste time trying to decide who is to blame for sickness and pain. He was motivated by compassion and love and calls us to follow him and do the same. This turned the politically powerful priests against Jesus and led directly to his death.



Those abusive and oppressive legalistic Pharisees and the teachers of the law left out marginal and undesirable people.

PHOTO: Those abusive and oppressive legalistic Pharisees and the teachers of the law left out marginal and undesirable people. Jesus did not waste time trying to decide who is to blame for sickness and pain. He was motivated by compassion and love and calls us to follow him and do the same. This turned the politically powerful priests against Jesus and led directly to his death.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

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https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/1102014676/univ/art/1102014676_univ_lsr_xl.jpg
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/jesus/ministry-in-judea/condemn-hypocritical-pharisees/



Throughout the ministry of Jesus, his actions were consistently aimed at including the people that  hippocratic religion had left out. Jesus included women, children, foreigners, sinners, the "unclean", outcasts, the sick and even outlaws and murderers (thief on the cross) at a time when the basic thrust of religion was to divide people into "insiders" and "outsiders", the clean and the unclean. [15]


The downtrodden are still valuable to God.
PHOTO: The downtrodden are still valuable to God.
Jesus included women, children, foreigners, sinners, the 'unclean', outcasts, the sick and even outlaws and murderers (thief on the cross) at a time when the world doesn't.
Our blessing is this. We have a God who gives hope to the hopeless. We have a God who loves the unlovable. We have a God who comforts the sorrowful. And we have a God who has planted this same power within us. Within all of us. [20]
The riches that are promised us are not those of material possession, but those of spiritual enlightenment and harmony, as well as a closeness with Him. [20 - Jay, posted on 28 February 2014 at 2:51 pm]
Photograp by Michael N. Paras

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https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/Stock-Images/Rights-Managed/C71-519168
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/08/bride-give-first-aid-to-accident-victim.html



What was His attitude to the world? To wealth? [16]
Jesus advocates to enter God’s kingdom, build eternal treasure in heaven, rather than having surplus wealth in this world. Jesus' words about earthly riches seem to have a mostly negative bent. He identified the rich as afflicted "Woe to you who are rich" (Luke 6:24). Jesus described wealth in several negative ways.



Jesus advocates to enter God’s kingdom, build eternal treasure in heaven, rather than having surplus wealth in this world.

PHOTO: Jesus advocates to enter God’s kingdom, build eternal treasure in heaven, rather than having surplus wealth in this world. Jesus' words about earthly riches seem to have a mostly negative bent. He identified the rich as afflicted "Woe to you who are rich" (Luke 6:24).
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:10)
Picture posted by reversingverses.com
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https://reversingverses.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/1tim6-10.jpg
https://reversingverses.com/2012/11/06/1-timothy-610/



First, Jesus described earthly riches as perishing. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19).

Second, Jesus described earthly riches as deceiving and distracting.  He spoke of a farmer who scattered seed on various kinds of soil. Some seed fell among thorns and was choked. Later, Jesus explained, "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful" (Matthew 13:22).

Third, those who are rich are used to getting what they want when they want it. They are self-sufficient. This sense of self-sufficiency often bleeds into one's spiritual life. Luke 6:20 "Blessed are the poor" seems to indicate a possible link between material poverty and humble dependence on God. Perhaps this is why Jesus told the rich man to sell everything in order to find eternal life (Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30).



Those who are rich are used to getting what they want when they want it.

PHOTO: Those who are rich are used to getting what they want when they want it. They are self-sufficient. This sense of self-sufficiency often bleeds into one's spiritual life. Luke 6:20 "Blessed are the poor" seems to indicate a possible link between material poverty and humble dependence on God.
Picture posted by Ed, The Cove Community on Monday, 26 December 2016 at 7:24 PM
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http://thecovecommunity.blogspot.com/2016/12/sundays-sermon-real-christmas-surprise.html



Although the disadvantage of wealth is real, it is not impossible for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom.  With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27).

Despite the overall negative flavor of Christ’s words about wealth, the actions and words of Jesus do contain positive perspectives. These perspectives serve as a reminder that the material world is good. Matter is not evil.  Earthly possessions are necessary and can be used in healthy, enjoyable, and lasting ways.

Jesus affirmed that humans have real and legitimate material needs. He claimed that the Father knows those needs (Matthew 6:32).  Therefore, worry about the future is unnecessary (Matthew 6:25ff). What matters is seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).



Jesus affirmed that humans have real and legitimate material needs.

PHOTO: Jesus affirmed that humans have real and legitimate material needs. He claimed that the Father knows those needs (Matthew 6:32).  Therefore, worry about the future is unnecessary (Matthew 6:25ff). What matters is seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).
Picture posted by jvn2k07 on 04 January 2018
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https://jvn2k07.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/matthew_6-25-and-6_33-34.jpg
https://jvn2k07.wordpress.com/2018/01/04/let-us-let-go-matthew-625/



Jesus demonstrated by his actions that earthly riches can serve legitimate purposes. He accepted material support from several women who helped him "out of their own means" (Luke 8:1-3). At the end of Jesus' earthly life, he borrowed (or rented) a room in a house that was owned by someone else (Mark 14:13-15).

The Gospel of John indicates that Jesus’ disciples had their own monetary fund. Judas was in charge of this fund and Jesus apparently had authority over it. His disciples speculated that Jesus had instructed Judas to buy provisions needed for the Passover feast, or perhaps to give something to the poor (John 13:29).

Furthermore, Jesus recognized the legitimacy of paying civil and religious taxes (Matthew 22:15-21; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26; Matthew 17:24-27).

As the perfect Man, Jesus exemplified grateful enjoyment for God’s bountiful gifts. He demonstrated that "the religion of gratitude cannot mislead us". Genuine gratitude and enjoyment can coexist with a sacrificial, generous determination to relieve the suffering of others.



As the perfect Man, Jesus exemplified grateful enjoyment for God’s bountiful gifts.

PHOTO: As the perfect Man, Jesus exemplified grateful enjoyment for God’s bountiful gifts. He demonstrated that "the religion of gratitude cannot mislead us". Genuine gratitude and enjoyment can coexist with a sacrificial, generous determination to relieve the suffering of others.
Picture saved by Kelly Warman-Stallings - Jesus Teaches at the Feast of the Tabernacle
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https://www.pinterest.de/pin/7740630581512081



Despite Jesus' warnings about the disadvantages of wealth, Jesus also taught that earthly riches can be used to facilitate the process of salvation. In response to a rich man seeking eternal life, Jesus replied, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21).  On another occasion, Jesus told his disciples to sell their possessions and give to the poor. He promised eternal dividends on their investment (Luke 12:33).

Jesus did not oppose riches or investments.  He merely opposed the wrong kind of investment. "Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted" (Luke 12:33).



Despite Jesus' warnings about the disadvantages of wealth, Jesus also taught that earthly riches can be used to facilitate the process of salvation.

PHOTO: Despite Jesus' warnings about the disadvantages of wealth, Jesus also taught that earthly riches can be used to facilitate the process of salvation. Jesus did not oppose riches or investments.  He merely opposed the wrong kind of investment. "Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted" (Luke 12:33).
Picture posted by mobilmusic.ru
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http://www.mobilmusic.ru/mfile/d6/c5/02/1426866.jpg
http://www.mobilmusic.ru/wallpaper/1426866_leto-v-parke/



Jesus’ attitude toward earthly riches was both negative and positive. He viewed the possession of earthly riches as a serious disadvantage. Yet Jesus also recognized the necessity of material possessions for life in this world. He received material blessings with gratitude and joy. He also taught that earthly riches, when given to the poor, can be a means of eternal investment and spiritual transformation.

Jesus instructed his followers to give secretly (Matthew 6:1-4), sacrificially (Luke 12:13-21; 18:18-30) and without worry for the future (Matthew 6:25-34).  Sacrificial, charitable giving is not a privilege reserved only for the rich.  Jesus’ reflections on the widow’s meager offering reveal that generosity is not measured by how much people give, but by how much is left over after they give (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). [16]

 

Sacrificial, charitable giving is not a privilege reserved only for the rich.  Jesus’ reflections on the widow’s meager offering reveal that generosity is not measured by how much people give, but by how much is left over after they give (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4).
PHOTO: Sacrificial, charitable giving is not a privilege reserved only for the rich.  Jesus’ reflections on the widow’s meager offering reveal that generosity is not measured by how much people give, but by how much is left over after they give (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4).
Jesus warmly commends a poor widow and puts a high value on her small donation. "They all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, put in everything she had, all she had to live on." (Mark 12:43, 44)
Painting by Simon Dewey - All That She Had
Picture posted by Latter Day Products
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https://ldsbookstore.com/resize/Shared/Images/Product/All-That-She-Had-Print/all-that-she-had-simon-dewey.jpg?lr=t&bw=1000&w=1000&bh=1000&h=1000
https://ldsbookstore.com/simon-dewey?pi=3
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2016/06/reflection-elisha-multiplies-widows-oil.html



How did He relate to the Father? [17]
The relationship between Jesus and his Father is plainly stated by Jesus himself in John 5:17-37
Jesus is a reflection of his Father
Jesus works as his Father works. Jesus imitates his Father, he does what he sees his Father do. Jesus said, "My Father is working until now, and I am working." And he also said, "The Son can do… only what he sees the Father doing." (John 5:17,19)



The relationship between Jesus and his Father is plainly stated by Jesus himself om John 5:17-37

PHOTO: The relationship between Jesus and his Father is plainly stated by Jesus himself in John 5:17-37
Jesus is a reflection of his Father
Jesus is dependent on his Father
Jesus has faith in His Father’s love for him
The Father allows Jesus to see himself at work
Jesus trusts and has confidence in his Father
Jesus and his Father work together in the same business, the business of giving life, of bringing the dead to life
The Father gives great responsibility to Jesus
There’s no competitive spirit between Jesus and his Father
Jesus lives for his Father's will
Jesus' validation comes from his Father
Picture posted by Paola Serra on Monday, 16 March 2015 at 16:33:00
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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-23B6K6d1vnk/UzsAG91XCII/AAAAAAAADx4/nQ8XWINWz9Y/s1600/jesus_god.jpg
http://paolaserra97.blogspot.com/2014/04/dal-vangelo-secondo-giovanni-gv-517-30.html



Jesus is dependent on his Father
He "can do nothing of his own accord." (John 5:19) Jesus is equal in deity, as a part of the trinity, yet submissive in role as a human being, as the Son of Man, walking planet earth. Jesus walks in humility before his Father.

Jesus has faith in His Father’s love for him
"For the Father loves the Son," Jesus says. (John 5:20) This is where Jesus’ security comes from. He doesn’t put his faith in human beings' love for him. In fact, where his own self worth is concerned, he doesn't care about anyone's opinion, other than his Father's. Jesus didn't "entrust himself" to people. (John 2:24) His security came from his faith in His Father's love for him.

The Father allows Jesus to see himself at work
The Father "shows him all that He Himself is doing." (
John 5:20) And that’s what Jesus did in his relationship with his disciples when they lived together for three years during his ministry.

Jesus trusts and has confidence in his Father
"And greater works than these will he show him, so that you will be amazed." (
John 5:20) Jesus was sure, he knew, he trusted that the works his Father told him were to come, would come. His raising Lazarus from the dead. His own resurrection. And the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. These were all yet to come but Jesus trusted and had confidence in his Father, that He would come through.

Jesus and his Father work together in the same business, the business of giving life, of bringing the dead to life
"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will." (John 5:21 and John 5:24-29)

The Father gives great responsibility to Jesus
The Son of Man, who is God’s own Son, has lived life inside human skin. He’s walked where we walk, experienced what we experience, and suffered beyond what we suffer. He’s been misunderstood and mistreated in a way no one else has in all of human history. This makes him perfectly qualified to judge, so the Father "has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man." (John 5:22, 27)

There’s no competitive spirit between Jesus and his Father
There is perfect harmony. Each recognized the other was to be honoured equally. Jesus says, he, Jesus, is to be honoured  "just as they honour the Father who sent him." (John 5:23) They saw each other as equal and took pleasure in seeing the other honored. (Also, this claim to equality with his Father by Jesus is another claim of deity. Because no one is to be honoured in the same way as God. (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11))

Jesus lives for his Father's will
"…I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me." (John 5:30) He is equal in Deity as a part of the trinity, but submissive in his role. Jesus never performed a miracle on his own behalf. He only became angry in defence of others, never on his own behalf. He didn't own a house, or a horse, or a giant screen TV–his money from his ministry went to the poor. Jesus didn't live for himself, he lived for his Father. Everything he did was according to the will of his Father, and his Father's will was for Jesus to communicate his Father's love for us.

Jesus' validation comes from his Father
John the Baptist bore witness to Jesus but Jesus says that the testimony Jesus cares about isn't from man. (He said, he only brought up John's testimony so those listening might be saved.) But the testimony Jesus cares about "is greater than that of John's." The testimony that matters to Jesus is God's testimony. And God spoke audibly, affirming and validating his Son in Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 17:1-8, and John 12:27-30. God spoke these words in the first, middle, and last parts of Jesus’ public ministry, in the first, second, and third year. (John 5:31-37) [17]



God the Father and Jesus Christ

PHOTO: God the Father and Jesus Christ
Jesus lives for his Father's will. "…I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me." (John 5:30) He is equal in Deity as a part of the trinity, but submissive in his role. Jesus never performed a miracle on his own behalf. Jesus didn't live for himself, he lived for his Father. Everything he did was according to the will of his Father, and his Father's will was for Jesus to communicate his Father's love for us.
Artwork by Del Parson
Picture posted by Room Decor

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https://roomdecor.club/read/lds-primary-clip-art-heavenly-father.html



How did He train His disciples? [18]
Christ devoted a major part of his ministry to training the disciples to do the Father’s works and reflect his righteous nature. He prepared them to lead the church born in Pentecost.

Christ’s method of training was more action- oriented
His disciples learned by doing as he did. In so doing, they combined right doctrine with changed behavior and attitudes.



Christ’s method of training was more action- oriented

PHOTO: Christ’s method of training was more action- oriented
His disciples learned by doing as he did. In so doing, they combined right doctrine with changed behavior and attitudes.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - Preaching by Galilee and training the apostles (Matthew 10: 5-7)

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https://www.jw.org/es/publicaciones/libros/jesus/ministerio-en-galilea/predica-reino-capacita-apostoles/



Christ’s method of discipleship utilised signs and wonders
Signs and wonders, were necessary to authenticate Christ’s divinity. Further, signs and wonders were key in establishing the apostolic authority of the Twelve and Paul.  Christ is a dynamic, Satan-conquering Lord, who cause demons to tremble.



Christ’s method of discipleship utilised signs and wonders

PHOTO: Christ’s method of discipleship utilised signs and wonders
Signs and wonders, were necessary to authenticate Christ’s divinity. Further, signs and wonders were key in establishing the apostolic authority of the Twelve and Paul.  Christ is a dynamic, Satan-conquering Lord, who cause demons to tremble.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - The Apostles Ask for a Sign (Matthew 24:3)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCk4V1dOVPzOcDA27svWziuVwKK7we4NWA12YCPuc9FxbJpWgA50chEcKdntFlJDws82PQknyfAxSmEVrO9zj5ixzpYeGUXQEqNnLaQ1lmNOc_KPjtBbR0ISEnSx1nu4wVAblGYjC2Cs/s1600/1102014711_univ_lsr_xl.jpg
https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/1102014711/univ/art/1102014711_univ_lsr_xl.jpg
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/jesus/final-ministry/tells-apostles-sign/



Jesus’ method of instruction was the 'rabbinic' method
A rabbi would minister, while his disciples watched; then they would minister with him watching. Next, they went out on short missions, reporting back for further instruction and correction from the master. After repeating this process for years, if the rabbi was convinced his disciples were formed in his way of life, he released his students to become rabbis and teach others by the same process.


Christ used the same training method with his disciples. Christ, the teacher, formed his disciples in his way of life, passing on his character. Faith, hope, love, joy, peace, and so on were the goals of his training. Performing signs and wonders – casting out demons, healing the sick, and even walking on water – were avenues through which the disciples learned more about God’s nature. The disciples understood and accepted what Jesus expected of them but with personal inadequacy in performing his commands.



Jesus’ method of instruction was the 'rabbinic' method

PHOTO: Jesus’ method of instruction was the 'rabbinic' method
Christ, the teacher, formed his disciples in his way of life, passing on his character. Faith, hope, love, joy, peace, and so on were the goals of his training. Performing signs and wonders – casting out demons, healing the sick, and even walking on water – were avenues through which the disciples learned more about God’s nature. The disciples understood and accepted what Jesus expected of them but with personal inadequacy in performing his commands..
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - (Matthew 10)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1IkDk1uFrco2mJuBdYB9H9K6uu8RNaXSc_Iu1FIdpj4YkjuSJRJFiGz68mhjmbXd-U-ZA2m_Nl_QZ57eZRzV49hvDarw0mjIwlED6JfYpeKDvIDzkuoWwEn8ySfNrotY6Z4l9nrxyjo/s1600/1102014652_univ_lsr_lg.jpg
https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/1102014652/univ/art/1102014652_univ_lsr_lg.jpg
https://www.jw.org/es/publicaciones/libros/jesus/ministerio-en-galilea/predica-reino-capacita-apostoles/



Tennessee Walkers
Hitch a person who cannot do a job with one who can, and soon both will know how. This is how Christ trained the Twelve: they lived with him, soon living like him. Training today works the same way. Being around with someone who performs a certain ministry skill successfully (or demonstrates personal maturity) is the best way to learn to do it (or be it) yourself.



Tennessee Walkers

PHOTO: Tennessee Walkers
Hitch a person who cannot do a job with one who can, and soon both will know how. This is how Christ trained the Twelve: they lived with him, soon living like him. Training today works the same way. Being around with someone who performs a certain ministry skill successfully (or demonstrates personal maturity) is the best way to learn to do it (or be it) yourself.
Picture posted by Claret West Ng on 14 July 2018
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQi8nUpIsIv8mjha0IecSAy44-9IyVyoEE2LgSV3VFJMr5bseNr3kHXTDMTVCrT49laVbfcXpsScyjl8V2tJ1poT_YdMj_VtG2GMx0gqjJE27wyDYhaD-k8UwjkcCqpWccrz6jxiDHlc/s1600/SEND-1.jpg
http://claretwestng.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SEND-1.jpg
http://claretwestng.org/fifteenth-sunday-ordinary-time-july-15-2018/



A Willingness to Follow
The primary criterion for becoming one of the Twelve was a willingness to follow Christ – to walk with him, and to choose to become like him. From a human perspective, one can imagine the Father telling his Son, "If we can train this motley crew to advance my kingdom, we can train anyone." This gives all of us hope.



A Willingness to Follow

PHOTO: A Willingness to Follow
The primary criterion for becoming one of the Twelve was a willingness to follow Christ – to walk with him, and to choose to become like him. From a human perspective, one can imagine the Father telling his Son, "If we can train this motley crew to advance my kingdom, we can train anyone." This gives all of us hope.
Picture posted by Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSG-QHU1J6Ruyk7iK-aaavLOg_se3c0uswBBXdCqDlZGgmXkzZFfDNKD0q3MRQGf8xJbfP17I-tOAwDGZOaioizb9BRUULZ_orkTTkDMLk0bP-4l6pEVB7Mk3_tA1nTfFQwJrQJoVqgs/s1600/716.jpg
https://wol.jw.org/es/wol/mp/r4/lp-s/jy/2017/716 - (716.jpg)
https://wol.jw.org/es/wol/d/r4/lp-s/1102014672



As people who earnestly desire to be Jesus’ disciples, we learn by example and from actual experience to speak the words of Jesus and work the mighty confirming works of Jesus. [18]

How did He died? [19]
Severe stress, even before the abuse began
Jesus had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Even before the crucifixion began, he clearly had physical symptoms associated with severe stress. The night before the execution, his disciples reported seeing Jesus in “agony” on the Mount of Olives. Not only did he not sleep all night, but he seems to have been sweating profusely. So great was the stress that tiny blood vessels were rupturing in his sweat glands and emitting as great red drops that fell to the ground (see Luke 22:44). This symptom of severe stress is called hematohidrosis.


Jesus had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
PHOTO: Severe stress, even before the abuse began
Jesus had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Even before the crucifixion began, he clearly had physical symptoms associated with severe stress. The night before the execution, his disciples reported seeing Jesus in “agony” on the Mount of Olives. So great was the stress that tiny blood vessels were rupturing in his sweat glands and emitting as great red drops that fell to the ground (see Luke 22:44).
Picture provided by hanyyoussef on Wednesday, 27 July 2011 (Created by unknown author) - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCQMYDkZpFnr_ryP5pqvTpB0p0lnLbdplYV0jgyv1afhVzoKXpUBXOalT0wrSUj7idx1A2AQfHRh9t1mtVxvOG-8Su-MU2TdfnfR3h3E6SFNEAeALOOUMcPM_kszgiaOKxmZtrfRj40w/s1600/Jesus_Prays_in_Gethsemane-2.jpg
(filename: Jesus_Prays_in_Gethsemane-2.jpg)
http://christian-backgrounds.com/christian-wallpapers-backgrounds/jwallpapers_files/2011/7/Jesus_Prays_in_Gethsemane-2.jpg - (forbidden)
http://christian-backgrounds.com/christian-wallpapers-backgrounds/desktop-wallpapers/picture/the-king/264-jesus-prays-in-gethsemane
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2016/04/reflection-have-nothing-to-do-with.html



Jesus was physically exhausted and in danger of going into shock unless he received fluids (which he apparently did not). This is the man that the Roman soldiers tortured.

Torture by beating with Roman scourges
Having previously been beaten by the Jews, it was now the Romans’ turn. The beatings administered by Roman soldiers are well known to be very bloody, leaving lacerations all over the body. Romans designed their whips to cut the flesh from their victim’s bodies. These beatings were designed to be painful to the extreme. It would also cause a fluid build up around his lungs. In addition, a crown of thorns was forced into his scalp which was capable of severely irritating major nerves in his head, causing increasing and excruciating pain, as the hours wore on.



Jesus being tortured by beating with Roman scourges

PHOTO: Jesus being tortured by beating with Roman scourges
Having previously been beaten by the Jews, it was now the Romans’ turn. The beatings administered by Roman soldiers are well known to be very bloody, leaving lacerations all over the body. Romans designed their whips to cut the flesh from their victim’s bodies. A crown of thorns was forced into his scalp which was capable of severely irritating major nerves in his head, causing increasing and excruciating pain, as the hours wore on.
Painting by William Adolphe Bouguereau - The Flagellation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnx5rzmGRGSBElnmWddw1KpU5PtaEnqgNWI2n26vZ4YQ-jg-xQ0hzAfII2Trf7fGgDM_516KQtNHzei3JiHvSEGAy2uVBklCGjpKeoeYRPTbS4avzccmmpA5lbhotmL4KYH_E3E5_0NX0/s1600/William_adolphe_bouguereau-the_flagellation_of_our_lord_jesus_christ.Jpg
http://img.wikioo.org/ADC/Art-ImgScreen-2.nsf/O/A-8XXCG9/$FILE/William_adolphe_bouguereau-the_flagellation_of_our_lord_jesus_christ.Jpg
http://wikioo.org/ko/paintings.php?refarticle=8XXCG9&titlepainting=The%20Flagellation%20of%20Our%20Lord%20Jesus%20Christ&artistname=William%20Adolphe%20Bouguereau



In Christ’s severely stressed condition, these beatings were easily enough to kill him. His body was horribly bruised, cut and bleeding. Having had no nourishment for many hours, and having lost fluids through profuse sweating and much bleeding, Jesus would have been severely dehydrated. This brutal torture would certainly be sending him into what doctors call "shock," and shock kills.

In addition, Jesus was forced to carry the the wooden beam on which he would die. Imagine the effect of carrying a heavy weight if you were in that condition.

Crucifixion
Hung completely naked before the crowd, the pain and damage caused by crucifixion were designed to be so devilishly intense that one would continually long for death, but could linger for days with no relief.

A death by crucifixion seems to include all that pain and death can have of horrible and ghastly—dizziness, cramp, thirst, starvation, sleeplessness, traumatic fever, tetanus, shame, publicity of shame, long continuance of torment, horror of anticipation, mortification of untended wounds—all intensified just up to the point at which they can be endured at all, but all stopping just short of the point which would give to the suffer the relief of unconsciousness.


Jesus' death by crucifixion
PHOTO: Jesus' death by crucifixion
Hung completely naked before the crowd, the pain and damage caused by crucifixion were designed to be so devilishly intense that one would continually long for death, but could linger for days with no relief.
A death by crucifixion seems to include all that pain and death can have of horrible and ghastly—dizziness, cramp, thirst, starvation, sleeplessness, traumatic fever, tetanus, shame, publicity of shame, long continuance of torment, horror of anticipation, mortification of untended wounds—all intensified just up to the point at which they can be endured at all, but all stopping just short of the point which would give to the suffer the relief of unconsciousness.
Picture saved by Jahaziel to JW
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Mvbav8dgeYaAsiCFjWilUffImfjLcnWHz1wmDKt5g1dOTpjU9kpp8D5wjnZSJZvStAcmngptv-M_c7OZv_7yabKfvrJ6_Evw4Q0pvJA10cmM42w3lJVCxJigSm5B_nWc8JruWV4a6EY/s1600/a8a947655f85367f7287a0a11c407fd3--the-skulls-crown-of-thorns-1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a8/a9/47/a8a947655f85367f7287a0a11c407fd3--the-skulls-crown-of-thorns.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/539517230336686368/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/10/reflection-how-to-define-and-explain.html



Biblically, it is clear that Jesus chose and willed His moment of death. That moment was induced not by pain, emotional stress, heart attack, or any other, but by His will. Though fully human, He is also fully divine. As God, He could not die from external sources, but only of His own volition and will.

Jesus remained in this agony and shame, not because he was powerless, but because of his incredible love for humanity. He suffered to provide the needed way of salvation for you and me. [19]



Dear Lord, Please help us to imitate Jesus by being holy as you are holy, merciful as you are merciful, and perfect as you are perfect. We want to imitate Jesus because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps. He bore our sins on the cross and took away our punishment and guilt, and is also our divine Example. As His disciples, we should follow Him and emulate Him. Jesus imitate you the Father, and we follow His example by imitate Him as He is the image of the invisible God.<br>We need help to imitate Jesus through the Gospels, which record the life of Jesus. From the Gospels we can hear what He said and see what He did. The four gospels in the New Testament provide authentic, reliable portraits of Jesus. Please help us to concentrate on His character and relationships, which lie at the heart of Christ-likeness.<br>Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!

PHOTO: "Dear Lord, Please help us to imitate Jesus by being holy as you are holy, merciful as you are merciful, and perfect as you are perfect. We want to imitate Jesus because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in his steps. He bore our sins on the cross and took away our punishment and guilt, and is also our divine Example. As His disciples, we should follow Him and emulate Him. Jesus imitate you the Father, and we follow His example by imitate Him as He is the image of the invisible God.
We need help to imitate Jesus through the Gospels, which record the life of Jesus. From the Gospels we can hear what He said and see what He did. The four gospels in the New Testament provide authentic, reliable portraits of Jesus. Please help us to concentrate on His character and relationships, which lie at the heart of Christ-likeness.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
Picture posted by Christmas Cards 2012
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs62stMgl5wBFeoIa9LrlgDKoWQMciwqkFs1lILp2C_EfD-Kj7oDNaLMkqwPvaq4y8RjnPDOOrH_x1qLcGJsqTBZ9CmRhBXwJaSlklgasBl6tx5hENC3cOlzqcYSXCPOUFNmcdtrVuZk/s1600/Christian-Wallpapers-Free-Acts-16-31.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUeAgoCabtOmZQu1W58qgV-EInLxo0tLbBsc9Xe-2BGtPoYwYhU2M-raa3G9cVWKZpzfVAqQU9b0Tyfwmd4dDDT1VT1yYLdz4d5Xu-D0FMJeA0hU3HFfynaJ7Gj27nUvF0ocQDlntRs4/s1600/Christian-Wallpapers-Free-Acts-16-31.jpg
http://christmascards-2012.blogspot.com/2011/07/inspirational-bible-verses-wallpapers.html


Reflection - Imitating Christ - in our attitudes and daily interactions
Question from source (book): "Finding rest for the soul", Chapter Nine, Question 2, Page 150.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012




Reference
[1] From "Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, Copyright © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon, ISBN 978-1-62707-709-5, Part III: LEARN FROM ME, Chapter Nine "Learning from Jesus: Imitating Christ", Page 139-141, 143-144.

[2] AllAboutJesusChrist.org, How did Jesus pray?, https://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/how-did-jesus-pray-faq.htm

[3] Dr. Drew Randle is Professor of Christian Ministry at Bryan College, Christianity Today, How should we respond to betrayal?, https://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/bible-answers/spirituallife/how-should-we-respond-to-betrayal.html

[4] Wycliffe Associates (UK), Jesus' problems with the crowds, https://www.easyenglish.bible/bible-study/jesus-life/jesus_crowd_problem.htm

[5] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Doing His Will - Desire to do God's will, posted on Monday, 14 May 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/05/reflection-doing-his-will-desire-to-do.html

[6] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Intimacy with Christ - Divine 'Pen Pal', posted on Wednesday, 04 July 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/07/reflection-intimacy-with-christ-divine.html

[7] Dr. Richard J. Krejcir, Institute of Church Leadership Development, Jesus Models Suffering and Injustice, http://www.churchleadership.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=42798

[8] Think Eternity, Sheepish Design, How Did Jesus Act Toward Sinners?, posted on 07 July 2015,  https://www.thinke.org/blog/how-did-jesus-act-toward-sinners

[9] Ed Stetzer, 3 Christian Responses to Blatant Hypocrisy, posted on 24 October 2017 at 8:00:00 AM, http://www.southbaychurchli.org/life-purpose-hope-blog/3-christian-responses-to-blatant-hyprocrisy

[10] Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012, Reflection - Instructed by Christ - Slow learner, posted on , Sunday, 22 July 2018, https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/07/reflection-instructed-by-christ-slow.html

[11] stephensizer.com, How did Jesus deal with Opposition?  Luke 6:1-11, https://www.stephensizer.com/sermons/luke6.htm

[12] Faith Brethren in Christ Church, How did Jesus treat the poor?, posted on 15 June 2012, http://www.faithbic.org/blog/how-did-jesus-treat-the-poor

[13] Wayne Stiles, How to Resist Temptation Like Jesus, https://waynestiles.com/how-to-resist-temptation-like-jesus/

[14] MarcAlanSchelske.com, Did Jesus treat the Bible like we do?, http://www.marcalanschelske.com/how-jesus-saw-the-bible/

[15] DR. REMBERT S. TRULUCK, Doctor of Theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Jesus and Outcasts, http://www.otkenyer.hu/truluck/jesus_and_outcasts.html

[16] The Servant of God, Andrew (in honor of the story of Father Arseny), Jesus's Attitude Toward Earthly Riches, https://www.fatherarseny.com/jesus-attitude-toward-earthly-riches.html

[17] God Running, 10 Attributes Of Jesus’ Relationship With His Father (And what we can learn from them),  posted on 14 May 2016, https://godrunning.com/2016/05/14/10-attributes-of-jesus-relationship-with-his-father-and-what-we-can-learn-from-them/

[18] John Wimber, vineyardchurches, Disciples are trained not born, http://www.vineyardchurches.org.uk/articles/disciples-are-trained-not-born/

[19] Christian Answers Network, How did Jesus Christ die?, https://christiananswers.net/q-eden/jesusdeath.html

[20] The Accidental Missionary, The One Thing Christians Should Stop Saying, posted on 20 February 2014 at 11:38 pm, https://theaccidentalmissionary.wordpress.com/2014/02/20/the-one-things-christians-should-stop-saying/

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Luke 6:24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A24&version=NIV

Luke 6:36 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A36&version=NIV

Luke 8:1-3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+8%3A1-3&version=NIV

Luke 8:54 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+8%3A54&version=NIV

Luke 12:13-21; 18:18-30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A13-21%3B+18%3A18-30&version=NIV

Luke 12:33 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A33&version=NIV

Luke 14:13-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14%3A13-14&version=NIV

Luke 22:44 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A44&version=NIV

Mark 3:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A6&version=NIV

Mark 3:31-35 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A31-35&version=NIV

Mark 3:33 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A33&version=NIV

Mark 3:35 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+3%3A35&version=NIV

Mark 4:34 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+4%3A34&version=NIV

Mark 8:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A15&version=NIV

Mark 8:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A17&version=NIV

Mark 8:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A21&version=NIV

Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A41-44%3B+Luke+21%3A1-4&version=NIV

Mark 12:43, 44 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A43%2C+44&version=NIV

Mark 14:13-15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+14%3A13-15&version=NIV

Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 17:1-8, John 12:27-30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A13-17%2C+Matthew+17%3A1-8%2C+John+12%3A27-30&version=NIV

Matthew 5:17-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A17-18&version=NIV

Matthew 5:48 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A48&version=NIV

Matthew 6:1-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A1-4&version=NIV

Matthew 6:5-15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A5-15&version=NIV


Matthew 6:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt+6%3A19&version=NIV

Matthew 6:25 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25&version=NIV

Matthew 6:25-34 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A25-34&version=NIV

Matthew 6:32 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A32&version=NIV

Matthew 6:33 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A33&version=NIV

Matthew 7:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A28-29&version=NIV

Matthew 10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10&version=NIV

Matthew 10: 5-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A+5-7&version=NIV

Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV

Matthew 13:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt+13%3A22&version=NIV

Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19%3A16-30%2C+Mark+10%3A17-31%2C+Luke+18%3A18-30&version=NIV

Matthew 19:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19%3A21&version=NIV

Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19%3A26%3B+Mark+10%3A27%3B+Luke+18%3A27&version=NIV

Matthew 22:15-21; Mark 12:13-17; Luke 20:20-26; Matthew 17:24-27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A15-21%3B+Mark+12%3A13-17%3B+Luke+20%3A20-26%3B+Matthew+17%3A24-27&version=NIV

Matthew 22:35-40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A35-40&version=NIV

Matthew 23:27-28  - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+23%3A27%E2%80%9328&version=NIV

Matthew 24:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24%3A3&version=NIV

Psalm 91:11,12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+91%3A11%2C12&version=NIV

Romans 3:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23&version=NIV

Romans 12:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=NIV

Romans 12:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A17&version=NIV