There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah 11:1)

It was not from Isaiah that the Jews mistakenly expected the Messiah to be a mighty temporal prince with armies that would break the yoke of Roman oppression.  From Jesse's stem a shoot will sprout forth and a green branch burst forth from its roots.

The very idea of a sucker springing from a hewn stump seems inconsistent with the idea of a mighty Messiah. At the time of Isaiah's work powerful empires such as Assyria and Babylon ruled the world. It would seem inconceivable that the Savior could arise from the lowly state of David's household.

During the time of another world power, the Roman Empire, at a time chosen by God,   when David's house was reduced to its lowest state, a virgin, a poor peasant girl, gave birth to a child who would be the savior of the world.

This savior was born into a poor family, born in a manger in the village of Bethlehem. Herod would have killed the child if he have been allowed.  After a  sojourn in Egypt, his parents made their home in lowly Nazareth. John records,  “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11)

This sucker grew and began to receive attention.  Luke records:  “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men”. (Luke 2:52)  They marveled at his signs and wonders, and even his very words.  They were astonished at his wisdom and understanding.

Ultimately, the branch of Jesse became a wise teacher, a gracious healer, a suffering servant, and the means of victory over sin and death. The despised tree of David became a healer of nations whose fruit was for the redemption of a world in dead in sin.

Is he your savior?  He can be, if you will obey him.  (Hebrews 5:8,9)

By George Slover
 

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (Colossians 3:14)

The people of God or not only expected to cease from evil (“put off the old man”), but to put on the new as God's elect, with a heart of kindness, compassion, and humility.  But, then Paul adds, above all “put on love”.

First, Paul would have us to recognize the very power of love. It is the fountain of every Christian virtue (1 Corinthians 13:1-10). It is the fulfillment of the law of Christ (Galatians 5:14). This is Christ-like love. The rude, unforgiving, self- asserting, fault-finding spirit cannot coexist with this Christ-like love.

Second, there is the “bond of love”. Love is the mark of Christ’s disciples. The Judeo- Gnostics of Colossae sought perfection in knowledge. The apostle stated such perfection is found in love. It is love that binds believers together and looks to the final perfection in God.

In the surrounding context Paul lists the character traits of God’s elect.  Mercy, kindness, humility and the spirit of forgiveness are woven together like a garment. God expects his children to put on the coat! Love is the element that holds the garment together.

Thus, the third factor of love is perfection.  It is the key element of each of these characteristics. Without love deeds of mercy can be ostentatious, humility can be prideful, and forgiveness a façade.

Above all love is supreme! It stems from the very nature of God himself and brings the whole Christian life in harmony.

By George Slover

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (Colossians 3:14)

The people of God or not only expected to cease from evil (“put off the old man”), but to put on the new as God's elect, with a heart of kindness, compassion, and humility.  But, then Paul adds, above all “put on love”.

First, Paul would have us to recognize the very power of love. It is the fountain of every Christian virtue (1 Corinthians 13:1-10). It is the fulfillment of the law of Christ (Galatians 5:14). This is Christ-like love. The rude, unforgiving, self- asserting, fault-finding spirit cannot coexist with this Christ-like love.

Second, there is the “bond of love”. Love is the mark of Christ’s disciples. The Judeo- Gnostics of Colossae sought perfection in knowledge. The apostle stated such perfection is found in love. It is love that binds believers together and looks to the final perfection in God.

In the surrounding context Paul lists the character traits of God’s elect.  Mercy, kindness, humility and the spirit of forgiveness are woven together like a garment. God expects his children to put on the coat! Love is the element that holds the garment together.

Thus, the third factor of love is perfection.  It is the key element of each of these characteristics. Without love deeds of mercy can be ostentatious, humility can be prideful, and forgiveness a façade.

Above all love is supreme! It stems from the very nature of God himself and brings the whole Christian life in harmony.

By George Slover

Then He also said to him who invited Him, ‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.’" (Luke 14:12-14)

In this passage Jesus challenged his audience to examine the motives behind their hospitality.  It is not surprising that the Pharisees, desiring the praises of men, would miss the true spirit of generosity.  

It is easy for hospitality to grow into a selfish desire for show.  When this happens one misses out on the real joy of giving.

When carnal motives creep in, giving may become like the grim duty of paying taxes. One might deem his gift a way of buying his way to heaven, or a means of exercising his superiority over the beneficiary of his gift.

The spirit of true hospitality is illustrated in this passage. One must give because they cannot help it! One must strive to be like God who gave his only son, expecting nothing in return. (John 3:16)  One must give with no thought of the reward.  Such an outflow of love allies one with the noblest of men and women in the world.

According to the Lord those who give generously will be rewarded at the resurrection of the just. (John 5:28, 29) Summarily, all who grudgingly withhold their gift when opportunities arise, will in like manner be recompensed.

There is a great reward for those with large hearts, who give bountifully of their lives and resources.  When such kindness is based on faith, hope, and love both the giver and the recipient are blessed and God is pleased.

By George Slover

"The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus (2 Timothy 1:16-18)

As Paul writes to Timothy from prison he often expresses feelings of abandonment.  He clearly identifies those like Phygellus and Hermogenes, who either abandoned the cause or sought to do him harm.  However, he is also comforted by remembering those who came to his aid.

Onesiphorus is not a household name. It is believed he may have been a merchant at Ephesus who occasionally visited Rome.  It is obvious that he also devoted his life to zealously serving the believers.  Paul had been a recipient of this man's kindness.

First, Paul speaks of this man's perseverance. When Onesiphorus arrived in Rome he sought out Paul very zealously. He took great pains to find the apostle.  This reminds me of my experiences in Jamaica. I have witnessed brethren driving up a steep, rocky road risking a flat tire or car damage, only to find at the end of the road a brother or sister needing to be encouraged, or a prospect ready to study the Bible.  Onesiphorus looked for Paul until he found him.

Second Onesiphorus was not ashamed to be associated with Paul, this time honored soldier of the cross.  Paul would say he “oft refreshes me”.  This servant frequently visited Paul to offer his kindness.  While others had abandon the cause, this servant was glad to stand with Christ and his apostle.

Paul asked for mercy for this servant.  Though bound as a prisoner, Paul's prayers were not hidden from God's throne of grace.  The apostle remembered this kind servant , and is assured that the Lord will not forget his labor of love as well.  Onesiphorus would be blessed by the promise of the Lord: I was in prison and you visited me.

The Lord may be calling upon you to comfort the downtrodden or to stand bravely on the side of those afflicted for his cause. Onesiphorus was a true friend to a great warrior whose battles were nearly over.  There is not a more edifying picture than those whose timidity is overcome by a sense of duty to Christ and his people.

BY George Slover