Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Kingdom Man: Silence, I Kill Me!

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Just a thought here (perhaps a subject of discussion), so hear me through: we read in Genesis 3:6 that Adam was present when Eve was deceived. The word translated “with her” carries the weight of Adam standing by as a companion. The key point here is Adam’s silence. He did nothing to stop her, thus taking the full responsibility of that sinful action on himself.

That’s an amazing picture that takes little imagination: one stands by doing nothing while watching someone else fall, get beaten up, fail.

I return: while personal responsibility is one major lesson in this action leading to the fall of mankind into sin, perhaps there is another matter to consider. First, think of Jesus standing before Pilate just scant hours away from being crucified. Pilate asks Jesus (John 19:9), “where are you from?” and Jesus says nothing (stay with me here). Next Pilate asks an intriguing question: “You do not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you, and I have authority to crucify you?” (John 19:10)

Jesus’ answers, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above . . .” (John 19:11).

Now: Is it possible that Adam’s silence was a gross misapplication of authority? He was given command by God to rule over creation, so was he overstepping his bounds by declaring himself to be supreme authority over his wife and the forbidden tree by his silence? Did Adam think that nothing would happen to him if someone else disobeyed the command of the Lord?

The horror.

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