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| Volume 21 Number 3 March 2019 | Page 10 |
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| Volume 21 Number 3 March 2019 | Page 10 |
Mark McWhorter
Matthew 23:37 reads, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not?” The name “Jerusalem” means city of peace. Yet, Jesus said that this city of peace had killed prophets and others sent to them by God. The very city that should have been at peace with God had continually turned its back on God. It had refused to listen to Him.
In the verse, the words “killest” and “stonest” are in the present tense. This means that these were not things done solely in the past. These things were still being done. Jesus had come to bring peace by bringing salvation to man. By giving a way of covering sin, man could be at peace with God. Yet, Jerusalem refused to listen. Jesus was the highest prophet ever to live on the Earth. He knew they were going to kill Him.
Study your Bible. Learn how to be at peace with God. Do not be like those in Jerusalem who refused to listen. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
Unassuming
Donald R. Fox
It has been many years now, yet, I recall a brief passing moment with my friend and brother in Christ, W.N. Bill Jackson. We all have experienced short and seemingly unimportant events, which still stick in our memories. Bill and I were attending the February Lectureship at Freed–Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. We were walking on the campus, and several feet in front of us, we noticed Franklin Camp, walking alone. Franklin had his hands thrust deep into his pockets with his head slightly bowed down as if he was deep in thought. Bill made a comment, “Look how unassuming Franklin is.” No further comment was necessary; we understood. To be an unpretentious person was part of Franklin’s make up. Brother Camp was a humble man and a well-respected Christian gentleman with a storehouse of biblical knowledge. Franklin Camp was a prince of a man. We need more folks like our down-to-earth Franklin Camp. Too many rude, high-minded people abound in society. We wonder what made some think that the world revolved around them. Give me humble reserved people anytime.
Zacchaeus was an unassuming and fair tax collector.
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold , there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:1-10 KJV)
There are legends about our “wee small man,” but in truth, we know very little about Zacchaeus. However, there is mention of Zacchaeus, the publican as a companion of Peter in the writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers. We understand that these early writings are not inspired works, yet they give us insight to the labors of these early Christians. With this short account concerning our “little of stature” man, we learn that he apparently was a Christian (453, Book VI, Sec. II, Constitutions of the Holy Apostles, Vol. 7, Ante-Nicene Fathers). “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).
[Editor’s Note: May we be unassuming as Christians. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]