One of the most well-known Messianic prophecies is found in the fifty third chapter of Isaiah. The prophet foretells the suffering, the rejection, the scourging, and even the burden of sin Christ would endure on the cross. However, there is a phrase often overlooked by Christians that is commonly noted by the skeptics of our Lord. Isaiah wrote, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7a, emp added). Obviously this cannot be taken literally as if He would not drink, eat, or even breathe through His mouth between the garden and the cross. We know this has reference to His speech, but skeptics are quick to remind us that Christ spoke several times from the garden to the cross. Does this prove the Bible is errant or that Christ wasn’t really the Messiah?

When the prophet Isaiah referenced Christ not opening His mouth He didn’t mean He would not speak a single word during His trials and crucifixion. Instead, Isaiah was referencing that Christ would not speak freely in giving a defense for Himself. If we compare Christ with men like Philip, Peter, and Paul we notice a significant difference in the amount of words used during their trials. Any other man would speak out to defend himself and attempt to have his charges dropped. Clearly Christ had more of a defense than in man ever had or ever will have. Yet, He chose to simply respond to their questions and speak God’s Word to a few individuals along the way (Matthew 27:11, Luke 23:43). In fact, there were times He chose not to speak at all (Matt 26:62-63). He didn’t freely speak out to defend Himself or argue with his oppressors, nor did He call twelve legions of angels. What a powerful display of submission to God and love for mankind!

King Saul, being powered by envy, chased David day after day seeking to take his life. After having to deter from his mission in order to deal with the Philistines he inquired of David’s whereabouts to begin his pursuit again (1 Sam 24:1). What Saul didn’t realize is that God had promised David to deliver Saul into his hands (1 Sam 24:4). As Saul was searching for David he paused for a moment to enter a cave in order to “cover his feet” (1 Sam 24:3). This seems to imply he went in to rest. Therefore, Saul separated himself to enter the cave alone as his men stood watch. This was God’s providence at work because this was the exact cave David was hiding in. And so God tells David that His promised is fulfilled and he may do with him as he pleased. David’s decision was one of great compassion and restraint. Instead of taking Saul’s life, which he had authority to do, he cut off a piece of Saul’s skirt in the darkness in response to his good and tender heart (1 Sam 24:5).
Once Saul left the cave David followed him out and announced his presence. He revealed the situation that had just presented itself and proved to Saul he meant no harm by showing him the piece of his skirt (1 Sam 24:11). As angry as Saul had been at David this act of kindness changed his heart. Saul immediately recognized David’s good amidst all of his own evil (1 Sam 24:17). Instead of killing David, Saul blessed him as the future king and left from pursuing him altogether. This account reveals again the power of kindness. One act of kindness towards a stranger or even an enemy can change hearts for good. Remember to put kindness into practice every opportunity that presents itself. Use kindness as though it were the hand of Midas turning hearts to gold with its touch. 

More and more alleged Christians are ignoring words of the Bible that are not printed in red. They suggest that God’s people should focus more on Christ’s teaching than the writings of “ordinary men” like Paul. This attitude has really penetrated Christendom as more people are attempting to justify homosexuality using the Bible. The argument suggests that because Jesus never personally condemned homosexuality and instead focused on love, that Jesus has no issues with the LGBT agenda. However, there are at least two major problems with this line of thinking.

First, people are forgetting that the words in red were written by ordinary men as well. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the men who wrote the four gospels which are filled with the words of Christ. In addition, Paul quotes Jesus as well in his letters (2 Cor 12:9). Therefore, to suggest that the words of Christ require more respect than any other words in the text is to misunderstand the way God used man to pen His will (2 Pet 1:20-21).

Secondly, Jesus often references comments that are not direct quotations from God or Christ as being His Word. For example, Jesus says in Matthew 19:4-5, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” (KJV). Interestingly, Jesus is referencing a statement made by Moses in Genesis 2:24 that is narrative in nature. Why would Jesus reference that “he”, being God, actually said that marriage worked in this manner even though an ordinary man, Moses, was the one to write them down? The truth of the matter is that anything written by inspired men constitutes being a direct quote from God.

To suggest that the words of the Bible written in black are second to the words written in red is foolishness. This line of thinking denotes a lack of understanding in the penmanship of the Word as well as its nature. Everything written in the sixty six books of the Bible is “given by inspiration of God” (2 Tim 3:16). Therefore, if the scripture teaches anywhere in the New Testament, our binding law today, that homosexuality or anything else is contrary to God’s will, then it is as true as though Christ spoke it Himself. In fact, it would mean that He did.

In Mark Twain’s book, Following the Equator, he references an incident that happened with his cat. Apparently she had climbed up on the oven and sat down on a hot stove lid. Describing this experience he wrote, “She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again – and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore”.

A negative experience can ruin the good outlook a person might have had in the past. Someone might enjoy a restaurant for years, but if one night they have an awful experience it might deter them from ever returning again. In life, this type of negative association causing us to avoid specific places or things is natural and sometimes harmless. However, when it comes to our spiritual responsibilities and experiences, we cannot let one negative situation cause us to turn away from doing the work of the Lord or turn away from Christianity altogether. For example, maybe you tried to convert someone who will no longer be your friend because you taught them things they didn’t like or agree with, and you no longer want to ever try to convert someone again. Or maybe an elder or a preacher made a decision that was wrong or even sinful (afterall, we are all human and can make mistakes), and you lost faith in the church altogether.

Paul went through more traumatic experiences in a few years than any of us will go through in a lifetime (2 Cor 11:24-28). Yet, he never once said, “This is too hard. I want nothing to do with this anymore.” Rather, he forgot about “those things which are behind” and pushed on to the “things which are before” (Phil 3:13). At times, it can be easier to give up and try to avoid another negative experience. Don’t be like Mark Twain’s cat and avoid every spiritual thing just because of one or even two or more negative experiences. As Christians, we cannot be quitters no matter the trial. As our Lord put it, “shake off the dust from your feet” and choose to get back to work (Matt 10:14).

Our 2023 Gospel Meeting with James Chilton was a great success. We thank Brother Chilton for his lessons and for those in the area who came out to support it. Below, you can click on the link for a video of each session

The Hymn From Williamsport PA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw1msHrF0Gs
How to Handle Hard Times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMhRpq_0pqQ
The Lord is in This Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHhDDuWDyOw
When You’re Out of Options: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qKLOMatYiI
Missing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE3rgJ13sEU
A Letter From God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKCYQCz3AgM