FAITH. JESUS KNOWS ALL THINGS

Love this Roy ! You truly are gifted.

ref https://www.patreon.com/posts/what-did-jesus-27557652

Thank You Reg for this post . . I always look forward to seeing a new post and hearing your/the fellowship's voice on these. On "recognizing Jesus" . . very helpful points made. Could it be that the Word is telling us that looks are irrelevant and can be deceiving? Jesus said "my sheep hear my VOICE and I know them and they follow me (emphasis added)" John 10:27. Jesus speaks to us through his Word and the in-dwelt Holy Spirit. Except as you touched on in the OT, there is no description of his worldly physical appearance. This has special relevance to me when I see all of the paintings, sculptures and pictures that are supposed to be of "Jesus" adorning every sect of supposed Christianity . . really just idols and graven images, eg the "Shroud of Turin". More proof of the corruption of the modern churches. On "where to cast your net" . . a very important lesson. God decides where we will be successful in sharing the Word. He directs the harvest . . not us. My take away is . . when you cast a net and nothing comes up . . pray about it and cast in the direction he tells you. Also, there are the parables about planting seeds. Sometimes we think nothing comes from it, but it grows later. Finally on Peter and nakedness, I also see the humor in it. I am reminded of when King David's wife Michal scolded him for "uncovering" himself by dancing with joy for God in front of servants and the people. Michal was thereafter cursed with no children. David was not literally naked when he danced (covered by an ephod) . . BUT . . his expression of joy was wholesome, spontaneous, authentic and uncovered. Naked spiritually in front of the Lord as he expressed his love. This is how God wants us to be when we approach him. Open, honest, loving him with all of our heart, mind and soul. Not concerned about appearances. Peter, as happens so often, provides an example of the wrong reaction/impulse to try to cover ourselves in front of the Lord. Like Adam and Eve after their original sin. This is also why the OT talks about going to the Lord in repentance asking for forgiveness in sackcloth and ashes . i.e. stripped of all outward pretense and adornments. Our Lord himself had nothing and was stripped of everything at the crucifixion . . no pretense . . open and honest love for all. They cast lots over his garments. Job was also stripped of everything and left sitting on a dung heap . .. but he still expressed his faith in his redeemer. Joseph's cloak was stripped from him. Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and John the Baptist wore just a garment of hair and a leather belt. To avoid coming destruction, in Matthew 24:18 Jesus says not to return for our cloak. Jesus is the only necessary covering . . nothing else. At least that is my take on the matter.