Topic: Tender With The Growing [Friday, 22 September, 2017]
But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” Luke 1:20
One angel, same message to two different people, same actions by them, but different reactions by the angel. I am referring to the visits of Angel Gabriel to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptizer and Mary, the earthly mother of our Lord Jesus. When Zechariah ask the angel “how can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years” (Luke 1:18), in regards to the birth of John the Baptizer, he was stroke with dumbness, but the angel was much more endearing and accommodating of Mary’s question about how Jesus would be born since she was still a virgin and not yet married and he took time to explain everything to her, even though they asked similar question. (Read Luke 1:4-34).
You might be wondering why it played out like that. This is it. Zechariah was a priest. One who we would call a pastor today. He has grown in his work with God and is matured in faith. His experience and knowledge of God excludes him from questioning how God would do such miraculous birth. He is familiar with how God has been dealing with his people, especially the patriarch, Abraham. Mary was young, was not even from the priestly lineage. She might just pass as a young Christian who is still learning about the operation of God. She still have not gotten in-depth knowledge of God and so, there is room for her to ask questions and be educated. No wonder Angel Gabriel took time to educate her on how the birth process of Jesus is going to be. Just like Zechariah was rebuke with blindness, so also Jesus Christ rebuked Nichodemos, another supposed matured Jewish leader, for his ignorant question (Read John 3:1-10).
God deals with us differently. With the matured, He expects us to act, speak, work like one. And He will not hesitate in reprimanding us when we act otherwise. But with the growing Christians, He will always want to guide them, even when they misstep. We should be like God, especially in dealing with Christians that are still growing. Be patient, endearing, loving, accommodating and comforting. At the end, Zechariah talked again after John was given birth to. Nichodemos got the enlightenment that he sought for. That’s God in His best. Loving and caring. No wonder Job said, even though in ignorance, “though he slay me, yet will i trust in Him….” (Job 13:15).
Keep winning daily.
Wise Action:
When dealing with a growing Christian, don’t judge them from your pedestal. Come to their pedestal and help them grow.
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