Outside Looking In ~Glen Elliott, Greenbriar, AK~
Separation anxiety quickly rises to the surface when doors are closed and access is denied. Such images are remarkably vivid in our memories. A child pounding on the bathroom door demanding access to
a parent who really needs a little alone time. A family pet earnestly scratching at the back door demanding access to the rest of the family and leaving behind the tell-tale marks of his or her frustration over slow human response time. Greater still is the tragedy of doors closed without hope of future access. When the Flood came upon the world of the ungodly, God closed the door to the Ark, effectively sealing in Noah and his family (Genesis 7:16). No other access was available for late arrivals for the door had been closed. Not only is Jesus the only way to the Father (John 14:6), He is also the door through which His sheep find access to spiritual nourishment and protection (10:9). However, access is limited to those who know Him and follow His voice (10:3-4, 14-16). One day the door will be closed forever. In His Parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus emphasizes our need to be prepared for His coming at all times. Five of the virgins were not prepared and, arriving late to the marriage feast, found the door shut. Though they begged, saying, “Lord, lord, open up for us” (Matthews 25:11), they were denied access. No late arrivals will be allowed into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ’s coming “will be just like the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:37). People will be carrying on business as usual – unconcerned about things spiritual or the approaching of judgment – when Christ will come swiftly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). There will be no physical door upon which to knock; no appeals for a deadline extension will be accepted. All that will remain is judgment and eternal destiny. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-10). But, sadly, it will be too late; the door will have been forever closed. So, “today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” lest you be forever on the outside looking in (Hebrews 3:15)
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He Was Like Us ~Jay Launius, Maud TX Church of Christ ~
Very little of the early life of Jesus is recorded in the gospel accounts. Only in Luke do we get a small glimpse into the childhood of the Savior. Men have tried to guess and assume certain things that Jesus may have done when he was young, for instance because his father Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3), we assume that Jesus was taught and practiced the trade of carpentry. Even though we aren’t told stories of his youth, we can, by using other passages of scripture, come to realize that because Jesus was human, he shared some of the same emotions, feelings and temptations that you and I are experiencing right now. Because He was human, Jesus felt happiness when things went well. He probably spent time with His friends laughing and playing games that most children played. As He grew older He experienced the emotions of an adolescent, thus learning and understanding the vast range of growing pains that young people experience as they grow into adulthood. Also as He grew older, He was tempted with all of the bad things that life had to offer. We read that He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15). And because of passages like Mark 7:21-23 we know that He was tempted with materialism, all types of sexual sin, greed, lewd behavior and foolishness. Jesus cried when he was sad (John 11:35), got angry, frustrated and perplexed when people disappointed Him (John 2:14) and enjoyed the company of children (Matthew 18:2). In order to know us and sympathize with us Jesus experienced life fully. So you might ask, “What does this have to do with me today?” Well, everything. As we go through our everyday lives, we experience happiness, frustration, temptation, anger, and enjoyment. Knowing that Jesus experienced life just as we do can be very comforting and encouraging. There’s not a problem that the Savior doesn’t understand and will mediate to the Father for us (1 Timothy 2:5). So as we begin another week, let’s remember as the old song says, “there’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one” and He’ll help us through all of life’s troubles and triumphs because after all He was and is like us.
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