Tag: Jesus

The Man Attached To That Hand

Neal Pollard

Something occurred to me that I never stopped to consider as I read about Jesus’ mistreatment in John 18.  An officer for the Sanhedrin, forever anonymous, is memorialized with only these words: “One of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand…” (22).  Was it sheer irreverence?  Was it misguided religious fervor?  Was it hotheaded impetuosity? No matter how one might rationalize it, this man slapped the Savior!  While Roman soldiers struck Him with their hands, no less an offense to Almighty God, the man in John 18 was presumably a religious man.  He expressed indignation on behalf of the High Priest, though Jesus said nothing at all offensive to Him.

What a terrible and difficult thing it is to read and consider, with an open heart, the physical pain and mistreatment Jesus suffered en route to the cross.  But how much worse would it be to be able to understand that you had a hand in it.  Several have conjectured that some of those who heard Peter preached on Pentecost may well have lent their voice to the fracas, clamoring and yelling for Jesus’ crucifixion.  What a burden of guilt to bear!  But, to be the man who slapped his own Creator in apparent contempt?  What a stigma to own!

While it would be impossible for you and me to be a part of that specific physical brutality, it is possible, as the writer of Hebrews later states, to crucify Jesus again and put Him to an open shame (6:6).  To know that my conduct, speech, attitudes, and interactions in this world might not only bring shame but outright assault on my Lord humbles and challenges me.  At the very least, it ought to make us careful about what choices we make, habits we form, entities we support, and causes we champion.  How helpful it would be if I take the time to examine my circumstances of the moment and ask, “Is this a slap in the face of my Savior?” If I know it is, I will flee it.  If I am not sure, I will think long and hard before I do it!  I don’t want to be co-immortalized with that unnamed officer!  I want those who see me to say that I am carefully, lovingly handling Christ!

Curing Gray Hair?

Neal Pollard

As one who has been possessed of gray hair since college, I was particularly intrigued by the article I ran across from Popular Science.  A cream developed for a skin condition called “vitiligo” helped to restore lost pigment in the skin of some of those suffering from it.  Researchers believe it might do the same thing for those with gray hair. The theory is that those with gray hair have too much hydrogen peroxide in their hair follicles and shafts. They believe this cream could reduce that and restore a person’s natural hair color (via FASEB Journal, http://www.fasebj.org).

Reversing gray hair, restoring bald hair, shedding those extra, stubborn pounds, and similar ambitions appeal to our vanity, but they are not necessary for our souls.  Millions try product after product to address such perceived needs, willing to spend money and make sacrifices in such pursuits.  After all, we want to do what we can to look our best.

Yet, the greatest need of every generation has a 100% success rate for every one who has ever obtained it.  It goes beyond skin deep.  It reaches to the soul.  It may not change the outward appearance, but it renews the inner person (2 Cor. 4:16ff).

It is baffling that so many more do not move heaven and earth to address this true need.  Many are unaware they suffer from it.  So many more are in denial.  Still others are not dedicated to doing what it takes to have it.  The reasons are varied, but the majority do not want this cure.

Jesus’ blood.  It cost Him His life to make it available (John 19:34).  But, it is the unfailing cure (Eph. 2:13; Heb. 13:12; 1 Jn. 1:7; etc.).  Long after these bodies have decayed and disappeared in the ground, it will be working for us.  It has an eternal guarantee.  You cannot beat that, but you definitely must have it!  If you would like to know how to obtain this cure, read more about it here.

SINGING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING: “IVORY PALACES”

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Neal Pollard

A little less than a century ago, Henry Barraclough wrote one of the most unique, lyrically-rich songs in our songbook.  The musical arrangement is soothing in a way that matches the meaning of the words.  However, its poetry has caused some problems.

The first verse begins, “My Lord has garments so wondrous fine, and myrrh their texture fills; Its fragrance reached to this heart of mine, with joy my being thrills.”  This and the following verses must be understood in light of the chorus, which essentially tells us that Jesus left the perfect splendor of heaven to come to this sinful earth because of His unmatched love.  With that background, we understand Barraclough’s meaning to be figurative.  Jesus did not wear the clothes of a king while on earth.  Thus, the writer seems to speak of the qualities of Jesus’ character, the power and influence of it.  Myrrh  is a perfume, a theme the writer uses through the various stanzas of the song.  So, this first verse speaks of the attractiveness of Jesus’ character.

The second verse talks about the sorrow and pain He allowed Himself to endure.  While we think of aloe as a healing plant, the writer speaks of it in the sense of its bitter root (see the footnote at the bottom of the song in Praise For The Lord). While Jesus was a king, He was also the man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (cf. Isa. 53:3).

The third verse shifts the focus to Jesus as the Great Physician.  He’s an attractive king, He’s a suffering Savior, but He’s also the able healer.  The word “cassia,” as once again a footnote supplies, is a “medicinal herb.”  The idea is that He rescues us from our sin problem.

The final verse refers to Jesus’ second coming.  He will bring the faithful Christian to heaven.  Taken together, we see Jesus in the “garb” (clothes) of King, Savior, Physician, and Judge.  Driving it all is “only His great eternal love.”  Understanding the underlying theme of the songwriter helps us to better worship and better appreciate the perfect Son of God.