by Eric Holter on August 25, 2004
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, putting me into service…”
1 Timothy 1:12
This is Grace upon Grace! When Jesus puts us into service it is because He has first effectually called us to Himself “it is His doing you are in Christ…” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Secondly, when He puts us into service it is because He Himself has given us the strength – provided the breath, capacity to think, speak, or even move (Acts 17:11, 1 Peter 4:11) – to do this service. All this is from God. All is by grace so that no one may boast and so that Jesus will receive all honor and glory. Therefore our service, our works of faith, which come from Him, could never be credited to our account with regard to salvation.
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by Eric Holter on March 5, 2004
“Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:13-14
Jesus upon hearing of John’s death was saddened. He felt so sad that he had to get away by himself and be alone. Who knows what he felt, and how he prayed while on the boat. Certainly, his own fast-approaching death must have weighed heavily on his heart. His emotions were apparently so strong he had to withdraw for a time. Yet, what takes place next shows that rather than his sorrow leading to self-pity, it led to compassion. I have such a hard time understanding how sorrow can exist without self-pity. Praise God that Jesus is perfect and was able to experience sorrow without sin or self-pity!
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