Time with Jesus - Monday, 24 June
2013
Hi all,
Driving round the suburban areas
of the bigger towns in South Africa, we are sure to see a number of signs which
read “Beware of the Dog”. More often than not, there is the head of a large
snarling dog included on the sign somewhere.
A variation on this was one which read, “Never mind the Dog,
Beware of the Owner”. Included on the sign was a picture
of a rather large and threatening hand-gun.
A variation on this was one which read, “Never mind the Dog,
For many of those whose roots go
back to Europe, dogs are regarded as “man’s best friend”. But that’s not true
of some nations. In the days when Jesus ministered “in the flesh”, to call a
man a dog was an insult. The Jews disdainfully referred to all Gentiles as “dogs”.
It wasn’t quite the lowest form of life to them. But it was far down the ladder
of social and religious acceptability.
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| A Pharisee |
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| Slave |
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| Tax-collector, a dog or a woman |
It was against this background Matthew, the Gospel writer, recorded some of the most poignant words in the New Testament.
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| A Woman |
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| A Dog |
This portion of Scripture always
gives me hope for the future and a sense of deep thankfulness every time I read
it. When Jesus looked at Matthew, He didn’t see a dog. He didn’t see one of the
lowest life forms on earth. Jesus saw a man! Matthew knew it. He was the man.
He recorded it for us in his Gospel. Mark and Luke refer to the incident in
their Gospels. But Matthew shows us the significance of what had taken place
that day, by the addition of two little words; “a man”. Jesus looked beyond the
exterior and saw; not a gentile dog or a tax collector. Jesus saw a man.
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| A Young Man Me |
Thank God for this. One evening
in October 1960, Jesus walked through Bainbridge Memorial Methodist Church and
saw a man. Not much of a man admittedly. He saw a young man who had destroyed
his own future and was an outcast. He saw me! “Follow Me” Jesus said to me. In
spite of everything seeming to be as bad, if not worse than a tax collector
some 2000 years ago, He saw me. He saw a young man! I got up from my seat in
that youth meeting and have followed Him ever since. Thank you for seeing me
Lord.
Shalom,
Jim &
Phyllida Strickland
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – 24 June 2013
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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These devotionals are the intellectual property of
Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute
them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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COME
AND SEE
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From
the day we docked in Cape Town on the Carnarvon Castle, we lived in hotels.
That’s not something to boast about. It was like that, because during WW2,
very few houses were built and even rental property was hard to find. In
addition, most hotels were “Residential” and cheap. My Dad told me that when
we moved into Hornby House in Humewood, Port Elizabeth, the hotel costs were
£7 per person per month. In other words He paid £18 per month for all three
of us. This included three meals per day. The last time I was in Port
Elizabeth, Hornby House was still there. But now it had been converted into
apartments, catering primarily for holiday makers. No meals provided. Since
it is slap bang on the Humewood beach front, there is no shortage of holiday
makers at ±R750 per day. When we lived there in 1950 the idea of such
staggering rents didn’t even appear on our radar screen!
At the
beginning of 1952, through a friend of a friend, we rented a flat in Pearson
Street. And shortly thereafter, rented a house in Park Lane almost next to St
Georges Park. We had gone from a flat to a house. Such a possibility was
unimaginable when we were in Hornby House. By 1959/60, developers were
building more and more houses so it was easier to buy your own home, than to
pay the rent.
It
wasn’t until 1960 that Dad could buy a house. Having lived in hotels and
rented property since 1947, it was like going to heaven. If I had been asked
in 1947 to describe my “dream home” I think my mind would have gone “tilt”.
But now we were living in it. I was 5 in 1947. I was 18 in 1960. The imagination
of a 5 year old does not measure up to the reality of what things are to an
18 year old.
In
many respects, what is described above is reminiscent of what Paul wrote to
the Corinthians: 9 But as Scripture
says: "No eye has seen, no ear has
heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those
who love him."1 Corinthians 2:9 GW
We
can never even try and guess the things God has prepared for us. It will be
infinitely greater than the difference between the imagination of a 5 year
old and an 18 year old. One thing we do know is that Jesus Christ has gone to
prepare a place for us. Scripturally each one of us will receive a mansion.
I’m reluctant to try and guess what this might be. This I do know. 8
But you must not forget this one thing, dear
friends: A day is like a thousand years to
the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.2
Peter 3:8 NLT Jesus ascended on a Thursday. Two “days” later takes us
to the middle of Saturday. So He’s only been preparing for us for two days!
Furthermore, if today for Him is Saturday afternoon then it’s His Sabbath.
I’m not sure how much preparing He is doing today? Not that it matters. He’ll
come when all is ready. I’ll wait!
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
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38
Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" He
asked them. They replied, "Rabbi"
(which means "Teacher"), "where are You staying?" 39
"Come and see," He said. It was
about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with Him to the place
where He was staying, and they remained with Him the rest of the day.
John 1:38-39 NLT
2 There is plenty of room
for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that
I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? 3 And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come
back and get you so you can live where I live.
John 14:2-3 MSG
20 Look, I'm standing at
the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll
come in and we'll eat together. 21 I
will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as
I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. 22
Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."
Revelation 3:20-22 GW
15 For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who
lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but
also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of
the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15 NIV
20
Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end."
Matthew 28:20 NIrV
7 How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! And the
children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
Psalms 36:7 NASB
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John’s disciples followed Him. “What do you want: said He?
“Where are you living Rabbi?” He answered, “Come and see”?
Two thousand odd years later, the same thing is still true.
We ask Him where’s He’s living? He says to me and you,
“Follow Me and I will surely take you on a road,
That ultimately takes you to My heavenly abode.”
He doesn’t show before-hand what it’s like in His home.
To give a full description would fill a giant tome.
You can’t describe what’s infinite with any English words.
Just the thought of doing it is utterly absurd.
How do you pour the oceans into a little jug?
If you think you can do it, my friend, don’t be so smug!
And yet the Lord has hinted at what it is we’ll see.
He says it is a mansion He’s making just for me!
And I am not the only one. He’s making one for you.
And every other Christian will find they have one too!
So Jesus has been busy since he went up above
Building us a mansion which speaks about His love.
Each mansion will be different. Each one is tailor made
To fit the personalities of those who have obeyed.
If you like fitted carpets, they’ll be upon the floor.
All your aspirations you’ll find they’re there and more.
For if you can imagine it, your thinking’s far too small.
It’s infinitely better than what you can recall.
I don’t know how He’ll do this; each mansion’s right next door,
To where the King is “living”. You couldn’t ask for more.
To live next door to Holiness, means you’ll be holy too.
O Master I can hardly wait to be a bit
like You!
O Lord Your loving-kindness. It blows my puny mind.
There isn’t any other God that anyone can find.
O Lord, You are exclusive and totally unique.
All You ever want to do, You only have to speak;
And it starts its existence. It stands before your throne;
Only You can do this. Just You and You alone!
How can a man describe these things? Your Spirit indicates,
The things we cannot guess at, or even estimate.
For what you have prepared for those who seek to follow You.
And follow in obedience, Your Holy will to do.
Jim Strickland
Written 24th June 2012
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