Speaking the Truth in Love - Genesis 49-50 and Matthew 13:31-58
I want to encourage each of us to try to imagine what it would have been like to be there when Jacob blessed his sons, when Joseph spoke to his brothers, and when Jesus related His parables to His disciples and the rest of the people. In each case the truth was spoken in love. I pray that we will learn to communicate God's truth to others in a loving way.
Jacob called his sons together so he could bless them. I am sure it was a dramatic scene as the patriarch of the family was dying. The one who had held them together was leaving. What would happen to the family? Jacob gave each of his sons a glimpse of his character and his future. In most cases it was not very complimentary, but it was the truth. I am sure Jacob, like any father, only wanted good for his family, but that was not going to be the reality. He could see that because of his sons' failure to develop the character that comes from trusting God, they would fail in life in many ways. It did not have to be that way, but they chose to follow that path. Jacob blessed each one, but it was a bitter sweet time at best. However, the truth is the truth, and there is no need to try to sugar coat it or ignore it.
When Joseph spoke to his brothers, he could have scolded them or punished them, but he did not do that. He spoke to them the truth that God had taken their evil act and turned it into a good thing for all of them and for the world. I do not get the sense that they really understood Joseph. They were so sure he would kill them. They were so guilty and selfish. They missed God's truth, even though Joseph was good to them for the rest of their lives. I believe that is hard, too, when we have family members, who do not understand the truth of God. It puts us on different spiritual levels, and it makes it hard to communicate on deeper levels with them.
Finally, Jesus taught the disciples and the crowds through the parables in Matthew 13. He showed them the positive aspects of God's kingdom. It grows large like a mustard seed. God gives His people spiritual power like yeast, so they can influence people around them. His kingdom is so valuable that anyone should sell all to have it. However, Jesus also made it clear that not everyone is a part of the kingdom. There are weeds among the wheat. There is trash in the net. He was speaking the truth in love. He wanted them to believe in Him. Look at His hometown folks.(v.53-58) They did not believe in Him. They missed the kingdom of God. I am sure that hurt Jesus to have to say those things and to see people reject Him. That is the reality of life, though. We must let others know the truth in a loving way, so they can turn to Christ.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 1-3 and Matthew 14:1-21.
Jacob called his sons together so he could bless them. I am sure it was a dramatic scene as the patriarch of the family was dying. The one who had held them together was leaving. What would happen to the family? Jacob gave each of his sons a glimpse of his character and his future. In most cases it was not very complimentary, but it was the truth. I am sure Jacob, like any father, only wanted good for his family, but that was not going to be the reality. He could see that because of his sons' failure to develop the character that comes from trusting God, they would fail in life in many ways. It did not have to be that way, but they chose to follow that path. Jacob blessed each one, but it was a bitter sweet time at best. However, the truth is the truth, and there is no need to try to sugar coat it or ignore it.
When Joseph spoke to his brothers, he could have scolded them or punished them, but he did not do that. He spoke to them the truth that God had taken their evil act and turned it into a good thing for all of them and for the world. I do not get the sense that they really understood Joseph. They were so sure he would kill them. They were so guilty and selfish. They missed God's truth, even though Joseph was good to them for the rest of their lives. I believe that is hard, too, when we have family members, who do not understand the truth of God. It puts us on different spiritual levels, and it makes it hard to communicate on deeper levels with them.
Finally, Jesus taught the disciples and the crowds through the parables in Matthew 13. He showed them the positive aspects of God's kingdom. It grows large like a mustard seed. God gives His people spiritual power like yeast, so they can influence people around them. His kingdom is so valuable that anyone should sell all to have it. However, Jesus also made it clear that not everyone is a part of the kingdom. There are weeds among the wheat. There is trash in the net. He was speaking the truth in love. He wanted them to believe in Him. Look at His hometown folks.(v.53-58) They did not believe in Him. They missed the kingdom of God. I am sure that hurt Jesus to have to say those things and to see people reject Him. That is the reality of life, though. We must let others know the truth in a loving way, so they can turn to Christ.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 1-3 and Matthew 14:1-21.