Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Carts
* Scripture: Jesus said, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:22, NKJV

Got the cart before the horse . . . Well, I've heard that saying, and I suppose someone might harness a horse so that it pushes rather than pulls a cart, but such a scenario seems highly unlikely. It is just a way of saying that someone has their priorities reversed.
I can envision someone hitching their horse to the wrong cart, though. Especially if a number of look-alike carts were parked together. Anyone who has wandered a large parking lot trying to locate their automobile among dozens of identical colors and similar models can relate to this one. Many people fasten unique things to their radio antennae to make it easier to spot their car in the multitude.
It is embarrassing to fumble with your key, trying to unlock the door, only to discover that you are trying to enter the wrong car. Ask me!
I still recall, with a chuckle, watching a friend select the wrong car, only he actually entered it. I had stopped at the post office so that he could check his mail, while I waited in my car. He came back out, intently reading a letter, not noticing that another auto had parked beside mine. The reaction - and embarrassment - when he finally looked up and saw me grinning one car over . . . Priceless!
While embarrassing, and probably humorous to the onlooker, such gaffes endanger only the ego.
Jesus, however, was warning about mistaken identification that could have serious consequences! False christs and false prophets are among the most dangerous of scam artists. Many will indeed steal your worldly goods to support their nefarious causes, but the real loss is to the unsuspecting soul - for eternity. Talk about hitching your horse to the wrong cart!
It would certainly be wonderful if there was a door or ignition switch on these spiritual scam artists, just like the keyed locks that keep us from entering and starting the wrong car.
Imagine for a moment that you are wandering that humongous parking lot, looking for that one car among many - except that there are no locks, no keys, and you could just enter any car, turn a switch and drive off. But you don't want just any old car, and you don't want yours stolen.
Wouldn't you be concerned? Sure you would. You would probably do something about it.
But just think about how many people literally leave their souls "unlocked," and select from those false christs and prophets.
So mark your 'soul' with Jesus Christ. He will provide the security key for you.
November 12, 2006

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: John the Baptist said, “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34, NIV

Back in the days when I was more inclined to wear a necktie, I actually wore one to the Ohio State Fair. I wore it because I was representing a state organization that was sponsoring an award through the 4-H program. After the ceremony, I decided to just continue to wear the tie, rather than either go back to the car, or take it off and stuff it in a pocket. The results were unexpected - but logical! People just don’t wear neckties to the Ohio State Fair . . . unless you are somebody important. So here I come, strolling through the fairgrounds with a tie. Wow! Got the VIP treatment, everywhere I went. Nothing free, just lots of attention.
It’s not the first time I have been mistaken for somebody important, but it was an interesting experience. I’ve been on the other side, too, when people questioned whether I was who I said I was, and had a right to be where I was. A means of identification can be very handy at times.
It seems that Jesus most often fell into the latter category. People did not know who he was, and often debated hot and heavily about his identity. His very authority to preach, teach, and heal was questioned. Refer to Mark 11:27-33. As usual, Jesus put them on the spot, and they were not able to satisfy their curiosity.
John affirms that Jesus came into the world - from heaven - yet the world did not recognize him. (John 1:10.)
“Who are you?” they asked. (John 8:25) There were no photo ID’s in those days, and Jesus never had an official document with a seal declaring his authenticity. Officialdom never knew what to make of this itinerant teacher from Nazareth. Even Nathanael, who became one of Jesus’ disciples, questioned if anything good could come from Nazareth. (John 1:46.) Yet, upon meeting Him, Nathanael declared, “You are the Son of God, the King of Israel.”
The scriptures are filled with the records of people who, like Nathanael, accepted Jesus as the Son of God. Many others, however, looked at the miracles, and assumed he had to be somebody important. Just as people at the fair weren’t taking any chances on my official-appearing necktie, people meeting Jesus wanted to be on the safe side,even if they didn’t know exactly who he was.
Officialdom considered Jesus to be a ‘nobody’ from the wrong side of the kingdom (Galilee) pretending to be somebody important. Important people looked like . . . like they did! And acted like they did. Jesus didn’t fit their vision of the Messiah, so they did not recognize Him. What were they to do with this ‘impostor’? “Crucify”, they shouted.