The Bickering Church

 

Jesus’ disciples were a varied group about which we know not much. Among them was a tax collector, a zealot, fishermen, and a thief. They all had different backgrounds, upbringing, temperaments, and status in the community.

The majority of the disciples were quiet and unassuming but Peter was the opposite, belligerent and demanding. John was loved and demonstrated his love. Matthew was wealthy. Thomas was a skeptic looking for proof. Simon was the fundamentalist zealot. And Judas, not Iscariot, unknown except for the one question he asked. I can imagine him asking it while sitting among his companions and listening to their arguments and questions.

‘Why us Lord?’ John 14:22(KJV) Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Traitors in the Church

 The characters in this drama:

Judas Iscariot, self-important goes with the flow for his own profit

Peter whose loud mouth hid a weak heart and uncertainty

Caiaphas the legalistic senior pastor who refuses to have his traditions challenged

Pontius Pilate the politician who avoids difficult decisions trying to please everyone

The crowd like all crowds follows and does as others do because they can't all be wrong, can they?

Me an example of all of the above.

The Secret of Caleb's Success

 

The story of Caleb is well known. One of the original twelve that were sent to spy out the land of Canaan and, with Joshua, made up less than 17% of those who voted to trust the Lord. Unfortunately, although the majority saw, tasted and touched the good of the land, they failed to believe in God for the possible. He must have been deeply disappointed. But he decided to wait, believing his time would come.