A
modest man never talks to himself.
Ah, Tuesdays.
Tuesdays are 'Nana Days'.
My little guy goes to hang out with Grandma.
And, I go get some comfort food.
Today, I wound up at Dragon Village.
So, the comfort food today is Chinese.
Excellent chicken and broccoli. Good egg rolls.
Even had sauce for dipping your egg rolls.
May the Lord bless your establishment.
Chinese food used to be right at the top of my comfort food list. "Chinese food and burritos - a place for comfort food"
Hmm.
Just doesn't have the same ring to it.
Man, I used to hit the Chinese buffets all over this area.
Not many of them left. Now, you are either going to like Chinese stuff or you're not. There's really no middle of the road with folks I have met. I got my wife to go one time. ONE. That's it. Never again.
Well, you know, you try to expose people to new things.....
If you know anything about Chinese restaurants, you know about the fortune cookie.
If you get takeout, there is usually a couple stuffed in your bag. If you are sitting down, you probably get one with your check. A crunchy cookie shell with a small piece of paper inside. (It's about the only thing my wife will actually eat.)
There is a true and sincere friendship between you and your friends.
You find beauty in ordinary things, do not lose this ability.
Ideas are like children; there are none so wonderful as your own.
Sometimes, you feel like you are reading something right out of the Book of Proverbs.
The joyfulness of a man prolongs his days.
Pray for what you want, but work for the things you need.
Anger begins with folly, and ends with regret.
Now, take the one I got today, for instance.
A modest man never talks to himself.
I instantly began to toy with the phrase in my mind.
"Was Jesus a modest man?"
I really had to know what the word means.
Definition of MODEST·
1 a : placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth
b : neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence
2: arising from or characteristic of a modest nature
3: observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : decent
4 a : limited in size, amount, or scope a family of modest means
b : unpretentious a modest home
Hmm. How long have I been talking to myself?
Upon doing a word search in the (NIV®) at Bible Gateway, I only found the word modestly twice, and there, in the writings of Paul. (Corinthians & Timothy) In those passages it is as if Paul is giving his own instruction or opinion to the people.
Truly
I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this
mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be
impossible for you. (Matthew 17.20) New International
Version (NIV®)
According to Jesus we would have power to tread on the heads of snakes and scorpions (Luke 10.19) and here he says we can move mountains. Nothing will harm us. Well, strike one.
neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence…
Diffidence? Had to see that one.
hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence…
Nope, strike two.
Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are the meek.
I see Jesus as meek and lowly. He submitted to the point of death, even death on a cross. However, as the scripture in John showed, there are limits, and he will stand up for what is right.
"Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry." - Dr Bruce Banner
observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : decent…
Ok, I'm probably not going to get away with my jean shorts in church. I really can't see Jesus being carefree enough to walk around showing off his chest hair, either. However, He never really called anybody out on how they carried themselves. He had a prostitute washing His feet with her hair and the lame and sickly holding right onto his self.
We don't have anything recorded that He told someone to go home and dress differently, then come back to see Him. I could hearken back to the time of David (which I have done more than once in a holy tirade in front of my wife) and call up 1 Samuel 16.7, but that's still not
going
to get me into those shorts. I suppose that means I should dress for success.
Shorts can wait for the next fishing trip.
He might have seemed alone, only twelve men following him and they all deserted Him near the end. He had a legion of angels at His disposal should he want that. His church might have started small, but now it extends all over this world. Pretty much every continent and country. That doesn't sound modest to me.
not making claim to distinction or importance undeservedly…
Wow. Jesus certainly did make a claim to who He is, right in front of the people of His own hometown in Nazareth.
He read from Isaiah, He said today was the day, salvation had come upon them.
He stood in front of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.
He said "Before Abraham was, I am."
He made no bones about it.
The Messiah was here. The Promised One had come.
But, did He do it undeservedly?
That part I leave to you.
Does Jesus deserve to be called The Son of the Living God?
Does He deserve to have you open the door of your heart and life?
When every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, does He deserve your knee, and to hear you say "Jesus Christ is Lord"?
He died on a cross for your sins and mine.
Did he deserve that? No. Most certainly not.
He did it anyway.
In the end, that might be the most modest thing about Him.
Ah, Tuesdays.
Tuesdays are 'Nana Days'.
My little guy goes to hang out with Grandma.
And, I go get some comfort food.
Today, I wound up at Dragon Village.
So, the comfort food today is Chinese.
Excellent chicken and broccoli. Good egg rolls.
Even had sauce for dipping your egg rolls.
May the Lord bless your establishment.
Chinese food used to be right at the top of my comfort food list. "Chinese food and burritos - a place for comfort food"
Hmm.
Just doesn't have the same ring to it.
Man, I used to hit the Chinese buffets all over this area.
Not many of them left. Now, you are either going to like Chinese stuff or you're not. There's really no middle of the road with folks I have met. I got my wife to go one time. ONE. That's it. Never again.
Well, you know, you try to expose people to new things.....
If you know anything about Chinese restaurants, you know about the fortune cookie.
If you get takeout, there is usually a couple stuffed in your bag. If you are sitting down, you probably get one with your check. A crunchy cookie shell with a small piece of paper inside. (It's about the only thing my wife will actually eat.)
The statement on the paper is
usually a one sentence line telling you to look up and be encouraged or maybe a
few words that leave you scratching your head with wonder.
Things have changed over the years.
I can remember seeing Confucius like statements in there.
Things have changed over the years.
I can remember seeing Confucius like statements in there.
"Man who eat too much
comfort food go home sleepy."
Now, the lines are more personal to the reader.
Usually some line about family or self confidence.
Now, the lines are more personal to the reader.
Usually some line about family or self confidence.
There is a true and sincere friendship between you and your friends.
You find beauty in ordinary things, do not lose this ability.
Ideas are like children; there are none so wonderful as your own.
Sometimes, you feel like you are reading something right out of the Book of Proverbs.
The joyfulness of a man prolongs his days.
Pray for what you want, but work for the things you need.
Anger begins with folly, and ends with regret.
Now, take the one I got today, for instance.
A modest man never talks to himself.
I instantly began to toy with the phrase in my mind.
"Was Jesus a modest man?"
I really had to know what the word means.
Definition of MODEST·
1 a : placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth
b : neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence
2: arising from or characteristic of a modest nature
3: observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : decent
4 a : limited in size, amount, or scope a family of modest means
b : unpretentious a modest home
Hmm. How long have I been talking to myself?
Upon doing a word search in the (NIV®) at Bible Gateway, I only found the word modestly twice, and there, in the writings of Paul. (Corinthians & Timothy) In those passages it is as if Paul is giving his own instruction or opinion to the people.
So, I contemplate on it a little
more.
"How important is modesty?"
"Was Jesus a modest man?"
For my wife's sake, Jesus better have been a modest man, or I'm wearing jean shorts and a T-shirt behind the pulpit on Sundays. (Love you, dear)
Now, I think we should really take a hard look at Merriam-Webster's definition and go step by step through it.
Each line of that definition is telltale.
placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth…
Hmm. Did Jesus place a moderate estimate on our abilities or worth?
"How important is modesty?"
"Was Jesus a modest man?"
For my wife's sake, Jesus better have been a modest man, or I'm wearing jean shorts and a T-shirt behind the pulpit on Sundays. (Love you, dear)
Now, I think we should really take a hard look at Merriam-Webster's definition and go step by step through it.
Each line of that definition is telltale.
placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth…
Hmm. Did Jesus place a moderate estimate on our abilities or worth?
According to Jesus we would have power to tread on the heads of snakes and scorpions (Luke 10.19) and here he says we can move mountains. Nothing will harm us. Well, strike one.
neither bold nor self-assertive : tending toward diffidence…
hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence…
Well, maybe Moses was modest, but not Jesus.
Wow. A scripture came immediately to mind.
Wow. A scripture came immediately to mind.
John
2:14-16
New International Version (NIV®)
14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
New International Version (NIV®)
14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
Nope, strike two.
Arising
from, or characteristic of a modest nature…
Ok, I might have to concede one here. The Beatitudes themselves are a framework for the character of Christ and how he wants us to be as His people.
Ok, I might have to concede one here. The Beatitudes themselves are a framework for the character of Christ and how he wants us to be as His people.
Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are the meek.
I see Jesus as meek and lowly. He submitted to the point of death, even death on a cross. However, as the scripture in John showed, there are limits, and he will stand up for what is right.
"Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry." - Dr Bruce Banner
observing the proprieties of dress and behavior : decent…
Ok, I'm probably not going to get away with my jean shorts in church. I really can't see Jesus being carefree enough to walk around showing off his chest hair, either. However, He never really called anybody out on how they carried themselves. He had a prostitute washing His feet with her hair and the lame and sickly holding right onto his self.
We don't have anything recorded that He told someone to go home and dress differently, then come back to see Him. I could hearken back to the time of David (which I have done more than once in a holy tirade in front of my wife) and call up 1 Samuel 16.7, but that's still not
*All definitions used by permission. From Merriam-Webster’s
Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition ©2014 by
Merriam-Webster, Inc.
|
limited
in size, amount, or scope…
Hmm. How should we take on this next part?
Jesus came down to earth and took on our human form.
He immediately limited Himself by taking on our infirmities, our weakness. But, he was still God in the flesh.
The maker and Creator of the universe.
Hmm. How should we take on this next part?
Jesus came down to earth and took on our human form.
He immediately limited Himself by taking on our infirmities, our weakness. But, he was still God in the flesh.
The maker and Creator of the universe.
He might have seemed alone, only twelve men following him and they all deserted Him near the end. He had a legion of angels at His disposal should he want that. His church might have started small, but now it extends all over this world. Pretty much every continent and country. That doesn't sound modest to me.
unpretentious…
Now, I really needed Merriam-Webster here since I thought I understood this, but I guess I do not.
Now, I really needed Merriam-Webster here since I thought I understood this, but I guess I do not.
not making claim to distinction or importance undeservedly…
Wow. Jesus certainly did make a claim to who He is, right in front of the people of His own hometown in Nazareth.
He read from Isaiah, He said today was the day, salvation had come upon them.
He stood in front of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.
He said "Before Abraham was, I am."
He made no bones about it.
The Messiah was here. The Promised One had come.
But, did He do it undeservedly?
That part I leave to you.
Does Jesus deserve to be called The Son of the Living God?
Does He deserve to have you open the door of your heart and life?
When every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, does He deserve your knee, and to hear you say "Jesus Christ is Lord"?
He died on a cross for your sins and mine.
Did he deserve that? No. Most certainly not.
He did it anyway.
In the end, that might be the most modest thing about Him.
