It Was Never So Seen in Israel
Thursday, September 17, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."
Matthew 9:32-33, 35
Never before had Israel seen someone who loved everyone.
Oscar Wilde is best known for his humor and quick wit in writing. His novel, The Importance of Being Earnest, has been drafted into plays and theatrical productions across England and America. In 1882, Wilde landed on American soil, and after being asked what he was intending to proclaim while in America, he replied, "Only my genius." Wilde enjoyed a whirlwind tour of the United States, but after several years traveling across the States, he returned to his homeland. After fifteen years of rampant living, Wilde found himself alone in prison. While in prison, he stated, "I have been a spendthrift of my genius...I forgot that every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character."
Although Wilde enjoyed a life of luxury and frivolity, he ended his life in a mess of trials, suspicion, poverty, and loneliness. His legacy had shifted from witty writer, to poverty-stricken prisoner.
Sadly, many people in our world trade character and reputation for wealth and fame. Reputation is not a cherished commodity but a means to an end. While many people could be named for their spoiled reputations, notice someone whose testimony not only preceded Him but remained spotless.
The story of Jesus' ministry could be summed up in verse thirty-five of our passage today, "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." The earthly life of Christ was characterized by service to others.
People knew of Jesus. They knew that when He visited cities, lives were touched, infirmities were healed, and people were changed. It was well-known that Christ had the power to help, and He used that power to do good wherever He went. As Matthew records, "It was never so seen in Israel."
How would people describe your life? Could it be said that such good works were never so seen in your neighborhood or town? Jesus kept a good testimony wherever He went. Do you?
Of course, Jesus was the Son of God and doing good was natural for Him. Yet as God's children, we have access to the same power Christ had. God has given us strength and power to live godly lives and do good wherever we go.
Think of the words of Oscar Wilde, "...every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character." Building a legacy or establishing a good reputation isn't achieved over night. It takes daily choices to do good, make right decisions, and follow Christ's example. Think about the Apostle Paul. He didn't inherit a good name from others. His godly reputation was a result of daily choosing to follow God and emulate Christ.
While doing good doesn't earn us salvation, God desires that we would seek to emulate His earthly life. He spent His life doing good and serving others. Are you living your life after the pattern of Christ's earthly ministry? Can others tell that your life is different than the lives of others?
"It was never so seen in Israel." Jesus' ministry was different than the everyday works of the religious leaders. Even so, your ministry and your good works should be different than the actions of those around you. Determine right now to follow Christ's example and make the decision to build a godly testimony through living like Jesus today.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people."
Matthew 9:32-33, 35
Never before had Israel seen someone who loved everyone.
Oscar Wilde is best known for his humor and quick wit in writing. His novel, The Importance of Being Earnest, has been drafted into plays and theatrical productions across England and America. In 1882, Wilde landed on American soil, and after being asked what he was intending to proclaim while in America, he replied, "Only my genius." Wilde enjoyed a whirlwind tour of the United States, but after several years traveling across the States, he returned to his homeland. After fifteen years of rampant living, Wilde found himself alone in prison. While in prison, he stated, "I have been a spendthrift of my genius...I forgot that every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character."
Although Wilde enjoyed a life of luxury and frivolity, he ended his life in a mess of trials, suspicion, poverty, and loneliness. His legacy had shifted from witty writer, to poverty-stricken prisoner.
Sadly, many people in our world trade character and reputation for wealth and fame. Reputation is not a cherished commodity but a means to an end. While many people could be named for their spoiled reputations, notice someone whose testimony not only preceded Him but remained spotless.
The story of Jesus' ministry could be summed up in verse thirty-five of our passage today, "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." The earthly life of Christ was characterized by service to others.
People knew of Jesus. They knew that when He visited cities, lives were touched, infirmities were healed, and people were changed. It was well-known that Christ had the power to help, and He used that power to do good wherever He went. As Matthew records, "It was never so seen in Israel."
How would people describe your life? Could it be said that such good works were never so seen in your neighborhood or town? Jesus kept a good testimony wherever He went. Do you?
Of course, Jesus was the Son of God and doing good was natural for Him. Yet as God's children, we have access to the same power Christ had. God has given us strength and power to live godly lives and do good wherever we go.
Think of the words of Oscar Wilde, "...every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character." Building a legacy or establishing a good reputation isn't achieved over night. It takes daily choices to do good, make right decisions, and follow Christ's example. Think about the Apostle Paul. He didn't inherit a good name from others. His godly reputation was a result of daily choosing to follow God and emulate Christ.
While doing good doesn't earn us salvation, God desires that we would seek to emulate His earthly life. He spent His life doing good and serving others. Are you living your life after the pattern of Christ's earthly ministry? Can others tell that your life is different than the lives of others?
"It was never so seen in Israel." Jesus' ministry was different than the everyday works of the religious leaders. Even so, your ministry and your good works should be different than the actions of those around you. Determine right now to follow Christ's example and make the decision to build a godly testimony through living like Jesus today.
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