*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*CHRIST STOOPS THAT YOU MAY STAND (2).*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Matt 9:10-12 *And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.*
*And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?*
*But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
When Christ stooped, He stooped so low. It was not to do what was wrong but to do what was right so that you would be right with God.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Yesterday, we looked at how Jesus stooped in response to the accusers of the woman caught in adultery.
We saw that the accusers had four motives, of which we looked at the first one.
Today, we will look at their second motive.
Sin blinds. Sinners do not see themselves as sinners, but they are able to see others and judge them.
Sin cuts a man short no matter how tall, hefty, or influential he may be.
Jesus stooped for sinners while many of them 'stood' parading and justifying themselves in their sins.
Why the Bible used stoop for Jesus is only known to the Holy Spirit, but the truth is that He did stoop.
To stoop is often most used in a derogatory way. For example, it is often used to describe when someone
lowers his ethical standards. It is often used as a way of making submission to someone higher in status.
Out of these two uses of the word 'stoop', worse is when someone is referred to as having 'stooped so low' meaning to forsake one's morals or lower his ethical standard to do something bad.
So, to stoop has no elegance. It is only good when someone is reverencing, but Jesus did not stoop to revere His accusers nor did he stoop so low to do what was bad.
He stooped that we may stand.
He stooped, wrote something, and rose to give the woman a second chance.
Jesus' choice to stoop was what a master would not do before a servant, but He did so.
Isaiah 52:14 says *".....his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:..."*
Isaiah 53:3 says *He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.*
Jesus descended so low that He was no longer respected, though not deserving disrespect just for you and l.
Sin has blinded sinners that they can not see how Jesus was humiliated for them
While they appear to stand, they are in truth crippled by the effect of sin.
They are crippled by the effect of sin because sin blinds sinners, so they can not see themselves as sinners, but they are able to see others and judge them.
Jesus received most criticism and condemnation from the Pharisees and Saducees in His days. They were worse.
Jesus was accused of sitting, eating, and drinking with sinners.
He indeed went to little Zachaeaus house, Luke 19:1-7.
They called Him a *".....friend of publicans and sinners!..."* Luke 7:34
He called a tax collector called Levi, who made a great feast in his house, Lk 5:29.
Jesus told them that *"......They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.*
By the sufferings, shame, and rejection of Jesus, God has instead of our shame given us double honor, Isaiah 61:7.
Christ stooped. It earned him no reputation so that you may be reputable!
*Remorse corner.*
See yourself as a sinner and repent.
He stooped so low, but it was in order to do what was right so that you may be free.
*Call to Word action.*
When you see yourself as a sinner, you will not be able to quickly judge others quickly.
Matt 7:1-2 *Judge not, that ye be not judged.*
*For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Do not be blind to see how Jesus stooped for you.
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me to know you Jesus *"....and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;*, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.