When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.
—Jonah 3:10-4:1
“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”
—Zechariah 6:16-17
And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
—Matthew 8:34
...complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
—Philippians 2:2-3
The Lord offers His grace to soften hard hearts and lead them to repentance. He came to us in the most gentle form possible—a newborn baby. The announcement of joy that accompanied His birth was an invitation. Some chose to join in the joy. Others did not.
The wise men from the east, who came searching for Him, bearing gifts, rejoiced to find Him. Herod, the corrupt ruler concerned with his own power, was willing to commit mass murder, spreading terror and grief.
During the public ministry of Jesus, a centurion in Capernaum showed that some Romans were made of better stuff. His faithful request on behalf of his servant—and the response of Jesus that “many will come from east and west” demonstrated that the arrival of Jesus had a reach far beyond Bethlehem or Judea. Still, there were some without concern for others. Instead of joy on behalf of those set free of demons, the Gadarenes seemed more concerned about the pigs. They asked Jesus to go away. He did as they requested.
The Law, the prophets, and the teaching of Jesus emphasized love of God and love of neighbor. But those who wanted to justify themselves, or who wanted a loophole, tried to limit the definition of "neighbor." Jonah was angry when God showed mercy to Nineveh. The lawyer who spoke to Jesus wanted a definition of neighbor, “desiring to justify himself”.
Paul used to think that way. Until he met Jesus.
Later on, in his letter to the believers at Philippi, Paul called on them to have the mind that he described as “yours in Christ Jesus”, the mind that set aside selfishness in order to care for others. The way the "Good Samaritan did". The way Paul did. The way Jesus did.
And Heaven and Nature Sing (part 2)
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
—Psalm 42:5-6a and 11
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.
—Jonah 3:10-4:1
“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”
—Zechariah 6:16-17
And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
—Matthew 8:34
...complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
—Philippians 2:2-3
The Lord offers His grace to soften hard hearts and lead them to repentance. He came to us in the most gentle form possible—a newborn baby. The announcement of joy that accompanied His birth was an invitation. Some chose to join in the joy. Others did not.
The wise men from the east, who came searching for Him, bearing gifts, rejoiced to find Him. Herod, the corrupt ruler concerned with his own power, was willing to commit mass murder, spreading terror and grief.
During the public ministry of Jesus, a centurion in Capernaum showed that some Romans were made of better stuff. His faithful request on behalf of his servant—and the response of Jesus that “many will come from east and west” demonstrated that the arrival of Jesus had a reach far beyond Bethlehem or Judea. Still, there were some without concern for others. Instead of joy on behalf of those set free of demons, the Gadarenes seemed more concerned about the pigs. They asked Jesus to go away. He did as they requested.
The Law, the prophets, and the teaching of Jesus emphasized love of God and love of neighbor. But those who wanted to justify themselves, or who wanted a loophole, tried to limit the definition of "neighbor." Jonah was angry when God showed mercy to Nineveh. The lawyer who spoke to Jesus wanted a definition of neighbor, “desiring to justify himself”.
Paul used to think that way. Until he met Jesus.
Later on, in his letter to the believers at Philippi, Paul called on them to have the mind that he described as “yours in Christ Jesus”, the mind that set aside selfishness in order to care for others. The way the "Good Samaritan did". The way Paul did. The way Jesus did.
To bring the completion of joy.