Sunday, December 19, 2021

The Uncertain sit at Jesus' feet and hear His word

'And behold, a CERTAIN lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"
So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'Your neighbor as yourself.' " '

'And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" '

'Then Jesus answered and said: "A CERTAIN man went down from Jerusalem to Jerico, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a CERTAIN priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a CERTAIN Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, "Take care of him; and whatever you spend, when I come again, I will repay you." So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?'

'And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." '

'Now it happened as they went that He entered a CERTAIN village; and a CERTAIN woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." ' (Luke 10:25-41, NKJV)

Notice that the only person, not labeled CERTAIN, was Mary who sat at His feet and heard His word. Even the Samaritan, labeled CERTAIN, was willing to be disarmed from the hatred they and the Jews had for each other to help that one who had fallen among thieves. A CERTAIN man tests Jesus and attempts to justify himself. Martha thought she could require that Jesus make Mary return to what was not necessary at the time.

CERTAIN men and CERTAIN women in CERTAIN villages and places will be given the opportunity to lay down their certainty through the 'faith which was once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude v.3, NKJV): the testimony of the Son of God.

No comments: