"The Others"

 "Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?" (John 10:21 KJV)

  "The first to speak in court sounds right - until the cross examination begins." (Proverbs 18:17 NLT)

 Have you ever wondered why the disciples were not more vocal in these situations? I don't recall too many times where they stepped in to take a stand against these Jews who had it out for Jesus. Maybe I missed it, but I am pretty sure they were trying to figure out what it was He intended to do. 

 That is really not all that different than how we are, in just about every situation we might find ourselves. We really don't know what it is that God is doing, until He is done; and even then, we still cannot see all that He has done! These others that spoke out, although they were swimming against the current, they still were not ready to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. 

 There is a very big difference between those that believe in Jesus and those that will give Him their lives! We must understand what it means to follow Jesus, because it doesn't mean that we just walk behind Him and watch what He did; it means that become a servant, living our lives as He did, to lay down our lives for the sake the Gospel, if that is what is required of us! 

 Don't hold anything against those that might seem timid or afraid, because it might not be time for them to shine. There is time for everyone to take a stand, not everyone will have the same situation that turns on that switch. But you can believe it when you see it, those that really believe, fear nothing!

 Which reminds me of something Pastor Bryan said last night, in reference to Mark 3:9, as Jesus asked the disciples to get Him a small boat, so that He could speak to them from the shoreline, least the multitude should throng Him. "He was just being humble, because He really didn't need a boat; He could have just stood on the water if He wanted." 

 Focus on Jesus, and don't worry about the rest...

"I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." (1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT)