12-17-2023 – A Word to the Wise – What is like when a Christian refuses to abide by the Lord’s instructions?

My mother taught me the fundamentals of sewing, so when I got in the military, the first day they issued a sewing kit. I knew what it was and how to use it. Skip forward 63 years, the hem in my pants was coming loose. Hey, I can fix this.

I find my wife’s’ black thread and a needle. I sit at my desk for 20 minutes just trying to thread the needle. Finally, I see this red thing in the sewing kit, and recognize it is a tool to help thread the needle. I spend 15 more minutes trying to thread the needle with the threader. Finally, get it threaded.

But while picking up my pants to sew, I knock over a glass of water that had no lid. My daughter has told me at least thousand times “PUT A LID ON IT”. NO LID, so my thread, the needle, all end up in the floor wet, and here I sit.

Amos 5:18 ff Woe to you desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light: as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him: or went into the house and leaned with his hand against a wall and a serpent bit him!

12-13-2023 – My daughter asked for some short reminders when overwhelmed with the problems of the day. In the rush of our daily lives, in times of fear or anxiety, maybe a short reminder from Psalms helps:

“ I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord” 72:11

“I am poor and needy but the Lord takes thought of me” 40:17

“For God alone my soul waits in silence” 62:5

“O Lord, my God I will call for help by day, I cry out in the night before thee. Let my prayer come before thee, incline thy ear to my cry.” 88:1

12-8-2023 – A Word to the Wise – There are some experiences that seem to live forever in your brain. This is one of them.

July

Element 341

It is very hot. Sweat is already dripping off my face and this armored vest seems to weigh a ton. My partner and I are preparing to leave the station at four in the afternoon. I put the shotgun on the floor beside my feet and grabbed the mike “341, clear us from the station and we are available for calls. She responded, ” 341, you have a Signal 6 on Valentine. (Signal 6 is a disturbance call.)”Received.” I answer.

“Well, it looks like it’s going to be a long evening, I had no idea. The location of the call is only a short distance and to be honest it seems we have been getting frequent calls here to this location in the past.

Our conversation is interrupted by the dispatcher again stating, “341, we are getting numerous calls from that location you might step it up.” “Received dispatch we are en route.” And we increase our speed. Silence filled the vehicle as we both begin to feature the location in our minds.

Ten seconds later, the emergency signal is emitted, it is impossible to convey the feeling when that emergency signal goes off. Everyone listens intently for the location and the problem. the dispatcher states: “341 your call is now a shooting. You are authorized code three.” The tenseness in the dispatcher’s voice reflects our own feelings of the moment as I turn the red lights and siren on. The shrill of the siren pierces the hot afternoon. For change other autos move to the side.

A few moments later, again the emergency signal is emitted up until now I had never had two signals on the same call and again a very tense dispatcher speaks, “342, 345, 313, 311, cover 341 on a shooting. Shots are being fired and the suspects are using automatic weapons. There are numerous victims approach the location with caution.” I mumble to myself now just how are we supposed to do that? Now twelve officers are on the way and to be honest it is somewhat a relief to have backup on the way.

In the distance, we could hear the gunfire even over our siren as we approached the location. “341 we are a block from the location. Inform the other elements shots are still being fired.” There is no time for fear, or anxiety, every sense is alert as we pull up another vehicle leaves eastbound. We did not realize that it is the shooter. Nor am I prepared for the sight.

Stepping from the vehicle weapons drawn an individual tells us the suspect just left.

The Fire Department arrives. In the front yard is one of the victims, he has been shot in the chest and DFD starts working on him. I walked down the driveway on the side of the house, gun drawn, and saw another victim. He is dead next to him another wounded individual. I need to clear the area before I help with the wounded. Walking into the backyard there is an upset card table with cards strewn everywhere and another body. Two other people have been shot and are also in the backyard. It is odd how some sights remain stuck in your mind. On the ground are numerous chicken bones.

It is a very long evening interviewing witnesses and taking them down to Crimes Against Persons to be interviewed. All of this over a card game.

Detectives arrive and we help sort the witnesses and start transporting them to the police department to be interviewed. It is a very long and hot evening.

Postscript. Two weeks later we were on patrol and see the wanted vehicle and suspect. But that story if for a later time.

12-6-2023 – A Word to the Wise – I have shared the following many times and, in many ways, just feel compelled to tell again some aspects of my journey with the Lord. It is like Psalm 136. I never want to forget what the Lord has done. Now, from what follows, you reach the conclusion that I was my mother’s favorite I was not. Actually, I was 5th If I was on the list at all. However, that is a different story.

I want to share some of my experiences with prayer. I must begin at the beginning; I was born a twin premature, in the middle of World War II. Deathly sick from the beginning things, I did not look well. Then things got worse. I had been in the hospital for nearly two weeks before my second birthday when the doctor told my mother that I would not make it through the night. A few months prior to this I have my first memory. My mother rocking me and softly singing the popular hymn “ I come to the garden alone.”

But back to this fateful night. As my mother related the story, after the doctor left she bowed in prayer and beg the Lord to spare my life. My mother had a unique saying about prayer; Why would anyone think that prayer is a one-way street? How is it possible to take comfort in praying to a God who does not talk to you?

When I was four my parents divorced, and I was taken care of by a host of abusive people. From time to time I spent a few weeks with my mother then went back to these places. During one of these interludes, under the care of my mother, I was perhaps six years old. I got in a rock fight with another child and got hit in the eye. Mother rushed me to the hospital. After the examination the doctor told my mother that I would probably lose the eye. It was bandaged and sent home. Upon arrival mother asked me if I wanted to know if I would lose the eye or not. I assured her that I did. We went in the bedroom knelt down and she told me to ask the Lord. This is the first time I prayed. I asked the Lord would I lose the eye and he said no. Mother asked me what he said, and she confirmed the same answer.

That is the beginning of my prayer life. But now I return to my private hell.

When I was nine, I had enough and did not want to live any longer. It was the summer of 1952, there was a terrible plague going around. Far worse than Covid, it was called polio. Midafternoon Mrs. Smith called my mother and told her to come and get me I was running a high fever of 106 degrees. She told her she did not even know how to take a temperature. Mother was pretty straight forward. She came over. Took my temperature it was 107 degrees. She rushed me to the hospital. I still remember that gurney someone pushing it quickly towards an elevator, a doctor on one side and nurse on another shoving injections into me as fast as they could. I passed out. She prayed, diagnosis polio. She prayed more. Later, much later I was going home, and I told her I would never go back to Mrs. Smith’s. She agreed and the family moved to Lawton.

However, by this time the damage had been done. A host psychologist was of no help. I had an emotional block to learning, plus what is now ADD, and all types of acting out behavior.

Late one night in early September 1955 the phone rang. All the children were getting ready to go to bed. It was 10 PM. Mother answered the phone and there was dead silence. We started to cry, she hung up the phone, and quietly said we will be going to Oklahoma City tomorrow, your father died.

Six weeks later I was walking home from school (it was a 2 mile walk hot cold, rain or snow). I was nearly home crossing a field when the Lord asked me a question just as clear as day. Do you want me to be your father? I said yes. Thus began a unique journey that was to be a deciding factor for the rest of my days. I was 12 years old.

Frequently mother and I prayed together, and we would ask and agree on the answer.

I did begin to wonder was this just unique to us? Mother had warned me never to talk about prayer in church for these people believe that communication with the Lord was a one-way street. That would have gotten me kicked out of the ‘synagogue’ really quick.

However, for me some very difficult life questions had to be answered and I did not trust my own judgement. only the Lord could know the wise path to take. I just turned 17, very shy, and I would be graduating in 4 short months. Lord, what do I do? I Have no clue.

He said to talk to a recruiter there will be one at the school tomorrow. Which one Lord? The Air Force. So, I obeyed. June 6, 1961, I was headed to Lackland Air Force Base. How do I put it I am astounded at the perfect timing and the lifelong blessing that prayer led to? Even today, sixty-two years later, I benefit from what the Lord told me to do. The VA still pays a portion of my medical bills. The last few months I was in the service we lost 11 F105’s in a place called Viet Nam.

However, two years before another event took place which was to have a profound effect on my prayer life. It was late fall I had come home on leave and my mother told me the church was joining with another church in Norman for a hayride. Do I want to go, Absolutely, emphatically not, first off, I do not like crowds I am an introvert. Second, I have a terrible allergy to hay. No, I am not going. Well ask the Lord. So, I went. Drove up to the farm, got there in time to get on the hay wagon and sat next to a girl named Mary.

As I left that night, I reminded the Lord of one of his passages Matthew 7:7, “Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find, Knock and it will be opened”. Lord, I want Mary as my wife. He said it would be but I needed to mature. Two years later we were married.

Now this is not an autobiography. Rather descriptions about prayer, its power, and just how often the direction came from the Lord and how it always came to pass. Trust undergirds this powerful tool the Lord gives those who choose to believe.

After the Air Force mother told me I should start college. I reminded her I had a huge emotional barrier to learning. She said ask the Lord. Well against my better judgement I ask him. Sure, enough he said go.

However, the first semester I made poor grades. I told you Lord, I told you what would happen. I Finally brought the grade card home bowed down and told the Lord if he would remove the barriers to learning any degree earned would be His. That next semester and each semester thereafter I was taking 18, 19, 20 semester hours at a time and on the honor roll. I finished a 4-year college in 2 years and seven months with honors. During the same period, I was working at an airport 40 hours a week refueling airplanes and my son was born. The Lord did that! He did it, I obeyed, but He did it.

Part 2 will follow

12-5-2023 – A Word to the Wise – Ephesians 6:10ff

Sometimes it takes a parable to help us understand the power of a passage.

The first 2 years I was Reserve Officers we were unarmed. Whoever thought that idea up was nuts. You felt very vulnerable, moreover it could put your partner or others at risk.

However, one night 2 A.M. we were called to a large disturbance in the projects. Several elements were already out. Things were getting out of control. Here I stood with no weapon. Suddenly I remembered the shotgun on the floor of the squad car. Most certainly better than nothing, so, I open the door and pick it up. I hated shotguns, they were just useless, but there were no other options in case things got out of control. I racked a shell into the chamber. Suddenly there was dead silence. You could hear the sound of me racking a shell into the chamber a city block. Never again did I underestimate the value of that weapon.

To the other extreme was the baton. The police department trained all the officers on it for hours, you believe in it, trust it, depend on it. One could control anyone or situation with a simple baton. After all that was all the British police used.

One afternoon we were called to a family disturbance. The grandmother met us outside and told us her son was out of control. He was trying to kick them out of the house. “Please help, but don’t hurt him.” Sure. I opened the front door and stepped inside to see a massive 6’8 300-pound giant who immediately started cursing us out telling us to leave. “This is my house, get out.”

Whereupon he grabs my partner and I quickly draw my trusty baton, yes, the one I trained on, carried everywhere and with a mighty blow hit him across the chest. It snapped in half. I will never trust a baton again. Drew my trusty seven cell metal flashlight and went to work. Sometimes what you trust and believe in does not hold true. It could be tools, equipment, or yes even theology.

On the other hand, there are some things you depend on and never go without. Like a 20-pound armored vest, a sixteen shot Sig Sauer P26 handgun, (not one made of plastic either) a metal foot long flashlight, a radio to call for help. But more importantly, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph 6:10ff ESV

So, you have the tools necessary to do the job, physically, and spiritually along with the training necessary to utilize those tools in all circumstances. How much of your equipment is untrust worthy? Used improperly, or never picked up? How much actual training, have you taken to heart and used to intervene for others?

One item is missing from Paul’s list, the most important one; prayer.

12-2-2023 – A Word to the Wise – SAUL

Unlike the peaceful rule of Samuel, Saul saw bitter fighting throughout his forty-year rule. Saul, in spite of himself, fulfilled the purpose for which he is chosen. Saul is a warrior king. He looks like a warrior. He surrounds himself with exceptional warriors. Though faced with tenacious enemies he perseveres. As a military commander Saul appears to be above average. He violently ripped from the hands of Israel’s enemies much territory which had been lost.

The first twenty years of Saul’s rule sees much success. This is accounted for by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I Samuel 10:6 reveals that Samuel’s anointing of Saul makes him a changed man. This is the key to his success. However, Saul’s pride and jealousy are his undoing. He is rejected by God for his spirit of disobedience. Apparently, in the same moment in time that David is anointed by Samuel and empowered by the Spirit, the Spirit left Saul. (I Samuel 16:13-14)

From this point on Saul is seen as fearful, indecisive and wasteful with the meager resources that he possesses. Instead of focusing on the enemy he chases David all over the country trying to kill him.

The first combat occurs against the Ammonites when King Nahash besieges Jabesh-Gilead. The Ammonites were offspring of Lot. History is filled with cruel, vicious nations, who by force desecrate the living. The Ammonite nation is just such a people. Listen to the words of the prophet Amos concerning this people:

This is what the LORD says:

“For three sins of Ammon,

even for four, I will not turn back {my wrath}.

Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead

in order to extend his borders,

I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah

that will consume her fortresses

amid war cries on the day of battle,

amid violent winds on a stormy day. (Amos 1:13-14)

Note now the threats of Nahash three hundred years prior to Amos;

Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.” But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.” (1 Samuel 11:1-2)

The elders of Jabesh send messengers to King Saul reporting their plight. Saul calls up the militia. At this time in Israelite history there was no army. Throughout the period of the Judges each time the nation was faced with conflict a general call-up went out. Saul is going to change this method. However the call goes out and 330,000 men respond. Saul sends the messengers back with confirmation that they will be rescued the next day.

The text says that Saul gathered his forces at Bezek. (I Samuel 11:8) Bezek is being used by Saul as a staging area. As soon as they are assembled Saul chooses from the 330,000 probably around 30,000 to make the rescue.

By now the tactical pattern is obvious. Using a forced overnight march of 12 miles Saul is ready to attack in the early morning hours at sunrise. Saul divides his force into three companies and prepares for battle.

The division into three companies brings up an interesting detail. Who commanded the other two companies? It is possible that Jonathan, Saul’s son, commanded one of the companies, and the other was Abner. (I Samuel 14:50)

Jonathan is going to be important later on.

The town of Jabesh-Gilead sits atop a hill. The Ammonites were waiting outside the town for the people to surrender. There is no indication of the Ammonites having advanced weaponry. However, they were fierce fighters and had acquired a reputation as a cruel people.

Tactically, Saul follows the methods prescribed by the Lord in previous engagements. Overnight march, division into three companies attacking from three directions, swift strikes and terrorizing the enemy all exemplify the methods approved of by the Lord. In this first engagement Saul did it all correctly. Even Saul’s attitude towards his critics was excellent.

Following the battle Saul set out to establish a standing army and a reserve element. This basic plan is adhered to even today by Israel. David enlarged the organization and provided training based on his experience. Later Solomon perfected it.

The text indicates that during this early period before disobedience sets in that Saul is successful with his program. Saul trains three thousand men as a standing army which he then divides into two groups. Two thousand are under his direct leadership, and Jonathan leads the other thousand.

It is after the army is set up that Saul makes his first major mistake. According to I Samuel 13, faced with a massive Philistine invasion of thousands of chariot and horsemen, Saul falters.

With only two thousand men to face this invasion Saul and his men lose heart. The army begins to desert in the face of the enemy. Saul intrudes into the office of the priest by offering sacrifices which were to be offered by Samuel. Samuel tells Saul that the consequence for this act is the loss of the kingdom. The situation worsens as the Philistines disarm Israel and remove all craftsmen capable of working with iron weapons. Then the Philistine army divides into three companies and sets out to destroy the Israelites.

This is the setting for one of the most courageous battles in Israel’s history. It is comparable to the three major encounters that Israel won over its enemies in the latter part of the 20th Century. It is known as the battle of Michmash.

Men of courage are found throughout scripture. The Old Testament is filled with men who stir the emotions and challenge the warrior. In Hebrews 11:34 it refers to an ancient incident which one may easily pass over. It says referring to men of faith “became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” I can think of no better illustration of this than the battle of Michmash.

Michmash? I have never heard of it. It is the story of an Old Testament warrior and his exploits and helps us understand why David loved this man so much.

Jonathan was an adventurer. A man of honor and filled with courage. His nation was being occupied by the Philistines, a loathsome enemy who had successfully subjugated Israel.

The enemy established a garrison at Michmash which controlled the surrounding mountainous area. Jonathan observed one of their outposts occupied by twenty of the enemy. He reasoned with his armor-bearer that the Lord could overcome whether few or many. So they go behind the garrison outpost and climb up behind the enemy. The text says they climb up the high hill on their hands and knees. Looking at the area where the battle took place all one sees is rocks, boulders and a very steep climb.

Reaching the top Jonathan attacks the unsuspecting enemy and quickly kills 20 of them. Imagine that in close hand-to-hand combat, armed with only a sword, you slay 20 in just the space of a few minutes.

The results are incredible. The enemy army watching from a distance is thrown into a panic. In the resulting chaos the Philistine army, composed of many different mercenaries, start killing each other. King Saul sees the battle ensuing and joins the melee. The enemy is driven from the area, and many are killed in the ensuing rout.

This major battle is started by two brave, courageous, god-fearing men, and it results in a major defeat for the enemy. Two men induced 30,000 of the enemy to flee. There is a lesson for us in this battle. Jonathan is using a form of combat that is very rare, but when practiced with just the proper person the combatants are unconquerable. What is that method?

The key is the word armor-bearer. What is that? Someone who carries your sword or spear? No, not at all. This is a special tactic perfected by Jonathan and his companion. The armor-bearer carried a medium size shield by which he shielded Jonathan and himself from enemy blows. This freed Jonathan to attack with two hands on the sword. It was a very effective form of combat but rare because two had to think as one.

The sword used by Jonathan was probably a sickle sword as indicated by the word ‘smite’ in the text. With this sword he could rip defensive weapons from enemy hands and slay them. Yadin gives us further insight into the swords of the time.

The sword has always been the principal weapon for hand-to-hand combat. There were two main types of sword, each serving a specific function: the sword for stabbing and the sword for striking. Both consisted of two main parts, a handle or hilt and a metal blade. The stabbing sword had a long straight blade tapering toward the point. To give it strength, the blade was thickest along its center and tapered toward the edges. This straight sword, sharp at the edges and at the point, served equally to cut as to stab.

The striking sword, on the other hand, had only one sharp edge, and the thickest part of the blade was not along the center but along the opposite or blunt edge. This type of sword could also be curved, the sharp edge being the convex or outer edge. Sometimes the curve was slight, sometimes so considerable as to give the appearance of a sickle. It is, indeed, often referred to as the sickle sword. But this may be misleading, for in a sickle the inner or concave edge is sharp, whereas in the sword it was the outer edge. (The Art of Warfare in Biblical Lands, Yadin, Vol. 1, pg. 11)

Jonathan’s sickle sword and the part his armor-bearer plays have significance for hand-to-hand combat and a correlation and significance to spiritual warfare.

It is certain that courage in the face of the great enemy is the key to winning intense spiritual battles. A courage rooted in the fear of the Lord ensures that one will not run and hide, nor cave in when the enemy comes in like a flood. When the dark night of the soul sets in, when others quake in fear, when surrounded with the night terrors or overwhelmed with the most intense pain, when calamity is to be found at every turn, when the storms of life drown us in sorrow beyond measure, even then one cannot be induced to curse their God.

Buried in the midst of overwhelming difficulties complacency does not set in, rather the paths of justice are guarded with even greater zeal. This is the heritage of the God-trained warrior. One, who in the words of John, “does not cling to life even in the face of death.”

The key to success in spiritual warfare is who the person is along side. This is not necessarily a friend, but must be able to function in unison with you. It is not a person who agrees with you, rather one who balances and protects.

The first battle that occurred after the anointing of David and the loss of the Spirit on Saul’s part is the encounter with Goliath. Saul, with all the equipment of a warrior, is afraid to face Goliath. David, however, with none of the tools of a warrior, faces the enemy fearlessly and destroys him.

Perhaps one of the paradoxes of scripture is that the New Testament’s greatest warrior was of the tribe and lineage of Saul. Paul was even named after this king. Saul serves the warrior caste as an example of a potential failure who serves himself more than the Maker, yet who in spite of himself prepares the kingdom for the golden era ushered in by King David. One is left to wonder the Lord’s original intent in choosing Saul.

We know the people’s purpose. Their purpose in choosing Saul as king is summed up in their request, “so we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” (I Samuel 8:18)

Is not that like the desire of our hearts? We want someone to fight our battles for us.

11-25-2023 – A Word to the Wise – MOTHERLESS

Admission into this group requires the death or loss of one’s mother. This loss may come about by abandonment, rejection or abuse. The emphasis here is on the comfort aspect of mother to child. Thus, God with the loss of the mother takes the unique place of comforter.

The unique characteristic about those who are God’s consolers is the gentle kindness, which touches the spirits of others. In II Corinthians 1:3-7 Paul addresses the issue of comfort. The section I wish to emphasize is verses 3 and 4. “Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

To me, this means that there are two classes of people. One group is composed of those who have been comforted by God, and the second group is made up of those who are comforted by those comforted by God.

What is the difference between these two groups? Those comforted by the Lord seem to live with an intimacy that is familiar and expected in that relationship. They desire the Lord’s comfort. They obtain much consolation from reading God’s Word and walking with Him. In contrast they receive little consolation from people.

The second group is just the reverse. They prefer to talk to others about their problems and turn to others for comfort. When being comforted by the person who has been comforted by the Lord, they feel great relief. However, they are not at home with intense personal closeness with the Lord. It may be frightening and disturbing.

What is closeness with the Father like? It is difficult to communicate but let me try to paint a picture. Shortly after my mother death it was like this.

“The two walked the forest path, the twilight of the deepening indigo sky painting darkening shadows midst the evening dew. “Why Father,” said the child, “Why take her?” The question was met by silence. The Father clasped the small hand a little tighter. The two, Father and child, hand in hand walked further the winding path. The stillness of the evening interrupted once again, “Why Father, why?”

A tear trickled down the Father’s cheek as He whispered, “Greatly beloved,” but the words ceased with a sigh, as if explanation was just not possible. This same experience came again with another loss just eight months ago.

It was time for parting the journey would be continued later. As the child sadly watched the departing Father, the longing for His presence again swept over and engulfed him. A little lighter, somewhat stronger. He had said almost nothing, yet nothing more was needed—simply hand in hand with the Father was enough.

As an infant, my mother would rock me during the early morning hours when my physical distress was the greatest. The doctors had warned her there was no hope, “He is two months premature, a twin, and survival is impossible.” It is as if I can still hear her alternately singing and praying softly, “I come to the garden alone, while dew is still on the roses . . . and He walks with talks and me with me….” Yes, even now some seventy-nine years later I hear those words. I can personally attest to the comfort afforded by the Father, both by my mother and then later by Him. He indeed does walk and talk with His children in one manner or another.

But I have known many others, deeply religious, for whom such comfort is too close. They prefer a little distance. The Father sends them comforters who have been comforted by Him.

It must be emphasized here that these mercy gifts from the Lord must be chosen. The Lord initiates the process, but the person chooses. Others may demand a replacement parent; though honored, it is hardly a wise choice.

As the reader might notice emotional situations are difficult to talk about much less write about. Perhaps a little later.

11-24-2023 – A Word to the Wise – I want to share an earlier post for those who find the times difficult.

Knowing the early life of Jesus

There is little written about the early life of Jesus other than His birth, flight to Egypt, and the Temple incident at age 12.

Why wouldn’t scripture provide any additional information about Jesus’ childhood years? Scripture, I believe, gives us some other insights into Jesus’ childhood from what is called the Messianic passages. If they are indeed referring to Jesus, these passages open a door to understanding a lot about His early childhood.

Hidden in this passage and is another suggestion which has huge ramifications. The text says He was there in the temple for 3 days by Himself. What is that? Three days? Jesus was able to fully care for Himself at this age. This would include Him being able to make His way around a large city and basically make decisions about Himself. I suspect this was the first time in His young life that He was exposed to acceptance, and that by strangers.

How is this possible? Some would say that you would expect the Son of God to do these things. In reality, I think there is another reason.

He had been taught His stepfather’s trade; some say the trade was carpentry, others say it was masonry. He would be physically strong. He would have had responsibilities towards His brothers and sisters. Now, this becomes a significant piece of information.

Jesus had four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. (Matthew 13:55) He also had several sisters according to tradition.

There is little doubt that Jesus’ siblings had some negative feelings towards Him. Considering the nature of Mary’s pregnancy before marriage, Jesus would have become a source of scorn by His siblings and adults alike. In fact, I would suggest that Jesus endured significant distress at the hands of others. These attitudes and behaviors were not new. Rather Jesus is exposed to rejection and jealousy all of His life.

Are there any scriptures which may indicate any of this? I believe so.

Let’s begin with Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53 should be accounted for because His ministry years do not answer the questions raised by the passages concerning Jesus’ childhood. This is a passage that conservative theologians would insist is a reference to the coming Messiah.

Starting with verse 2, notice these traits. The NIV states, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” The RSV reads, “He had no form or comeliness that we should look at him and no beauty that we should desire him.” The JPS version says, “He had no form or beauty that we should look at him, no charm that we should find him pleasing.” So first, He was not attractive, like King David.

Second, look at the next verse; “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

Our tendency is to apply this to Jesus’ ministry. I do not think so; this context is in His early life. Sure, during His ministry there were some who hated Him, but the vast number of people loved Him.

It makes good sense that during those early years, the passage is saying Jesus was despised and rejected first by His brothers and sisters and then followed by the general population. Why would it be this kind of rejection?

Examining the nature of Jesus’ birth, Mary was not married at the time of her pregnancy. Jesus’ family knew it and the community had to have known it as well. It is apparent that the family was slow to accept the specialness of Jesus. Even being aware of the birth story does not ensure belief in divinity.

In fact, a close reading of Luke 4:22 reveals the amazement that this is the same Jesus that grew up among them. His family did not believe that He was special. (John 7:3ff) Even before this, we find the family of Jesus wanting to declare Jesus crazy and take Him away. (Mark 3:31-35, Matthew 12:46ff, Luke 8:19-21)

I believe that Luke 4 may even give another perspective that might help us understand what is happening. To see it we must look at what happens when we translate verse 22 back into the original language that Jesus spoke. First, the translation of Luke 4:22 in the RSV, “And all spoke well of him and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” If we translate this back into the original language look what happens. “And they all testified against him and were shocked at the disgraceful words that were coming out of his mouth, and they said this is the son of Joseph.” It is too complex to go into why this whole conversation comes out differently, but it does provide context. The text is now compatible with the attempted stoning of Jesus. He is disliked and rejected by those He grew up among, regardless of all His miracles.

Also, the family of Jesus grew up with Him. To them, He was nothing special and He was an embarrassment. Nowhere do we find them supporting Him. We must remember none of Jesus’ family were followers of Him and they did not experience what the disciples experienced. His family did not live through moments like the calming of the storm and the transfiguration, nor were they anywhere near his trial or crucifixion. They grew up with Jesus and disliked Him.

Returning to Isaiah 53, we find that He was not attractive. Jesus probably, to some extent, kept to Himself because of the behavior of others towards Him. The text points out that He was a person of sorrow and grief. These attributes are experienced in childhood. They were lifelong experiences, not just the last week of His life.

So, we see a summary of Jesus’ early years in Isaiah. One may ask why was there this depth of rejection and why did the Father allow His son to experience this abuse? Simply how else would Jesus come to know the depth of man’s hatred? He knows men are not to be trusted. Now He is indeed prepared to love His enemy and to practice forgiveness.

Turning from Isaiah, let’s examine Psalm 69. This is one of the Messianic Psalms, several passages are quoted in the New Testament. It is my contention that this passage gives us the view into the heart of Jesus’ early life, and it is not pleasant.

Here are the first twenty verses: Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. More in number than the hairs of my head are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me, those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal must I now restore? O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother’s sons. For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me. But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies! You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you. Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.

In this first section, the Psalmist begins with a plea for help. This is not a reference to actual drowning in the sense of water or mud. This passage is referring to drowning in hatred. Whose hatred? That becomes clearer as we proceed through the material.

One may ask why is God, His father, not paying attention to His plea? Just as God would not intervene in the crucifixion years later, He could not intervene here. Jesus had to grow; He had to mature mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There are no shortcuts to life. Isaiah proclaimed that He would be acquainted with sorrow and now we see just how much sorrow He endured.

So, the passage declares that Jesus would be hated without cause. After age 12 or before? My suggestion is that it began at an early age and the assaults came from within His family and from the community. Proceeding to the next section in Psalms 69, we find a host of accusations occurring against Jesus. We find Jesus begging the Father to protect others; He is pleading that they not be brought down or dishonored by the accusations against Him. The psalmist goes on to point to the family, not only as the accuser but also the ones who might be shamed through Him. Evidently, even His family is bearing criticism because of Jesus. Following criticism comes the spread of the gossip. Now it is the talk of the elders of the city, and it has even grown to the point that the drunkards of the city proclaim songs of ridicule.

Conclusion:

It is neither reasonable nor practical to think that Jesus led a trouble-free life until He was 30 years old when He began His ministry. It is easy to proclaim that His divinity made everything easy for Him and He had all wisdom and knowledge, but this is just not the case.

In fact, even in the 3 years of his ministry, Jesus found Himself amazed by men. Jesus marveled at the centurion’s replies. (Matthew 8:10ff) We find Jesus astonished at the disbelief of his hometown in spite of all his miracles. (Mark 6:6) These passages do not reflect omniscience. Even when it came to His upcoming arrest, He is found pleading with the Father if there is another way. (Mark 14:32ff)

The writer of Hebrews insists that in every way Jesus experienced what we experience. (Hebrew 4:14ff). He learned obedience just as we must learn obedience. He suffered just as we suffer, not just during the last 3 years of His life, nor just the 40 days in the wilderness. His strength of character, trust, and faith was built on the sorrow and trials of childhood, and even into manhood. Even if Psalm 69 is not a detailed description of Jesus early life, and I believe it is, He would have to have gone through this if indeed he suffered in every way as we do.

So, I offer a decidedly different view of Jesus before His ministry, His early childhood was filled with disbelief, hatred, and rejection. This is why He is able to understand us, because He walked in our shoes, tasted the bitterness of family and friends from birth until death.

So what would Jesus have us do?

Happy Thanksgiving

11-21-2023 – A Word to the Wise – February 27, 1986. Element 341

Sometimes you meet violence with violence.

This evening we were patrolling near Grand and Parnell when Dean comes on the radio screaming for help at 3600 Holmes. We were only 4 blocks away and turned on our lights and siren. “341 enroute we are only 4 blocks away”. “341, 348, 312, 317 cover 313 code 3”.

We come to a screaming halt at 3600 Holmes. It is a large apartment complex full of dope dealers. I jumped out of the car while it is still moving and go to help Dean who has a semi-choke hold on a suspect who is struggling violently.

I ran up and hit the suspect as hard as I can with my flashlight in the groin. He falls to the ground. I looked around and saw a large crowd gathering. Dean’s squad car is covered in blood, his and the suspects. The suspect is still struggling Tony runs up and helps handcuff the suspect.

The other squads began to arrive, and the crowd backed off. A second suspect is sitting in his vehicle with both his hands out the window.

Two other officers get him out and begin to question him. He is eventually released. We called for an ambulance. They arrive and start to look at the suspect. He is still screaming.

Tony put the suspect in our back seat and told DFD to follow us and get away from that location for safety purposes. We stop under the I-45 Bridge.

I took the suspect out of the back seat still screaming and put him in the ambulance to be examined. Tony goes back to talk to Dean and find out what had happened. In the meantime, the suspect starts screaming again, said he is going to kill me and tried to kick me in the face. Bad choice on his part. He missed and I pushed him back down on the stretcher. All of a sudden, he kicked me in the chest, and I go flying out the ambulance.

By this time, I have had enough. I grabbed him by the cuffs and literally dragged him back to the squad car throw him in and slammed the door. Tony and Dean think it funny. I got in the back seat and told him he had better stop his crap or he is going to wish he had never been born.

He settled down a minute and Tony came back, and we started for Parkland Hospital. All of a sudden, he started trying to get my gun. I slapped him hard, forcing him to one side, and then put him in a choke hold until he passed out. I release him. It takes him a couple of minutes to recover and then he starts fighting again.

I choked him out again. He struggles and fights me all the way to Parkland Hospital. When we get there, we tie him down to a stretcher, handcuffing his feet and hands to the sides and ends of the stretcher. We get him inside and he calms down.

Finally, an intern walked up to exam him and got really arrogant with me. “Get those handcuffs off of him”. “Sorry but this guy is violent they stay on”. “This is my patient now take them off”. I tell him he is stupid and you’re going to learn a harsh lesson.”

He tells me he is a doctor and to do as he says. I tell him, I am a doctor and you’re still an idiot. I then took the cuffs off his feet and backed away. The doctor stepped up to the gurney. In a flash the prisoner reaches up and kicks the doctor in the chest and he falls back six or seven feet. I walked over, looked down at the doctor, and said, “Now do you understand why he is tied down? Do you want me to take his handcuffs off too? He is very meek. “No put them back on”.

Lord, how does someone deal with a prisoner like this? He made me so angry in the squad car that I had no mercy at all. It took three hours at Parkland to get him examined before we could take him to jail. He continues to threaten me. But he did not try to attack again. I guess I finally got his attention.

Social worker? Cop, or minister?

11-8-2023 – A Word to the Wise – There is a time when you know absolutely that the Lord intervenes and decides it is time to stop an evil person. So, a new police story.

Element 311

Friday, September 23, 1988

A most amazing arrest. I got to Southeast police station a little early. Looking at the wanted board for current suspects, I see a poster on a Curtis Alexander B/M/8/1/1966. Curtis was wanted for a double murder which occurred June 5, 1988. CAPERS had been looking for Curtis but could not find him. He was driving a 1984 Chevrolet D14PBQ. I took the poster off the board and made a copy of it. Then I ask the Lord to deliver this suspect into my hands.

Going to detail, the watch commander reads out several items, including the wanted poster on Curtis. My partner and I then left the station. About 2 hours later, we were northbound on Municipal, checking vehicle tags as usual, when I looked up and see the tag D14PBQ.

I was shocked I knew that tag. I looked at my hot sheet, and the vehicle was not on it. I told My partner to follow that vehicle. He wanted to know why. I said I do not remember, but he is wanted. 311 rolling stolen. Go ahead, 311. D14 PBQ. 311, that vehicle is clear. Dispatch 311, I am positive a bulletin was read out in detail about this vehicle. By now, it is starting to get dark.

About that time, the station sergeant comes on the radio; 311, we found the bulletin. Suspect is wanted for a double homicide; approach with extreme caution. In the meantime, we had swung in behind the vehicle, which had turned south on 3300 Lamar. 311, start us some cover. 341 enroute. 311 traffic. Go ahead, 311 5400 S. Lamar on David 14 Paul Boy Queen. Vehicle is occupied 4 times. 341, we are a couple of blocks away, put us out with 311.

We light up the vehicle, and the driver pulls over. With weapons drawn, we approached the vehicle. My partner on the driver side, and I on the passenger side. The windows are down. “All of you put your hands out the windows.” About then, 341 arrived, and we got all of the people out of the car. Sure, enough, Curtis was sitting in the front passenger seat. I found a 357 under his seat. We handcuffed him and took him to jail.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for hearing my request, and delivering this man into my hands.

These types of arrests are not unusual; it is a matter of asking him for the bad guy. You see, when the Lord gets enough, that is it.