Interrogation

~~~ 2 Samuel 7:4-17 ~~~ Psalm 89 ~~~ Mark 4:1-20 ~~~

...when he was alone, 
those present along with the Twelve 
questioned him about the parables.

Jesus was questioned throughout his public life.
He was questioned by the temple officials.
He was questioned by his followers,
even the ones he hand picked.

Jesus used his surroundings to highlight his teachings.
He was a master at making analogies
with which his listeners could relate.

Those present questioned him about his teachings,
because they wanted to have a better understanding.
Perhaps their personal interpretation
would not be accurate.

The followers of Jesus questioned him for
clarification and better understanding.

The officials not only questioned, but interrogated
Jesus looking for any flaws.

During my many years of teaching,
it was important for each student to feel
comfortable to ask questions.

In fact if you can formulate an intelligent question
it says something about your understanding of the topic.

The dictionary says...
to interrogate...sometimes to seek answers
 or information that the person questioned
considers personal or secret...
to question thoroughly.

Jesus was not just questioned...
Jesus was interrogated...
Jesus was questioned thoroughly.

The more we question about our faith
 the better we can understand.

It is true faith has many beautiful mysteries,
but this should not keep us from asking questions.

The twelve questioned Jesus himself
about the teachings in the parables.

Jesus was a master story teller.
Today we can still relate to his parables...
they are timeless.

 “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Ask God for a deeper understanding
 to what your ears are hearing.

Hearing is not equal to Understanding.

Ask (questions) and you will be given answers.

Blessed to question for a better understanding...
for what you understand you can share.

~~~Peace~~~

Rejected and Dismissed

~~~ Jeremiah 26:1-9 ~~~ Psalm 69 ~~~ Matthew 13: 54-58 ~~~

Jeremiah and Jesus both rejected and dismissed by those in

closest proximity to their hometown.

"...When Jeremiah finished speaking
all that the LORD bade him speak to all the people,
the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying,
"You must be put to death!"

Jeremiah had been given the inspired words of God, but the people rejected him.

Often when the truth is revealed to us we prefer to deny what we are hearing.

When our ears hear words that are not flattering to what we hold as truth

we tend to turn away.

We so want to believe what we want to believe no matter what.

It is a common struggle we all face.

Jeremiah was trying to warn the people...

God was giving them a chance to change, but they would not listen.

They remained hard headed which translated into

hardness of heart as well.

It must have been very discouraging for the prophets when they were

dismissed as speaking foolishness.

Years later enter a humble and lowly man, Jesus.

The son of a carpenter; not well schooled by their standards.

"Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter's son'
Is not his mother named Mary..."

After all the scribes had all of the knowledge. They were the highly

educated. What did this man know? Who was he to be telling them

how things were?

Where was he getting his foolish ideas from? Who had he been hanging around?

He was obviously confused about the truths.

Jesus had no idea about branding and market research.

Even though The Father had sent him and the Holy Spirit had conceived

him in the womb of Mary; he was not a person of authority.

At least not to the synogogue officials.

They were puzzled by what they were hearing and his actions.

When something is puzzling it is much easier to ignore.

Think about the things you do not understand...

Do you really take the time to investigate and research or

do you just leave them for others to deal with?

It was inevitable that Jesus would need to leave his familiar surroundings.

The farther away he got from those who knew his background

the less likely he would be rejected.

Those in his area had created biases within themselves

especially the synogogue officials.

Let us join in prayer with the psalmist...

Are we willing to be outcast and insulted for the Lord?

Are we zealous for the Lord?

We cannot dismiss the words of the Lord.

It is these very words that bring life and joy to our soul

in times of tribulation.

You are free and open to believe without bias against this

lowly carpenter's son....

JESUS.