Something To Think About "He listened!", 9/2

In order for this to make sense, you have to think on one side of a couple of Theological truths.  Jesus is God incarnate, the God-man.  Think on the human side of that.  The Bible is a book given by God in such a way that both as to words and to the overall content it can be accurately called the "Word of God."  Yet, God chose to use people in the writing of those books that make up the canon of Scripture.  The people, with their unique backgrounds and personalities are so involved in the process that it is accurate to say, "David says," or, "Peter wrote." If that gives you a headache, go get an aspirin and rejoin me in a minute. OK, I'm not asking you to deny Jesus Deity, or think of the Scripture as less than God-inspired, I just want you to allow the human side of things to inform this conversation. For three years, that we know of, Jesus was a rabbi, a teacher and preacher.  While He spoke on occasions to large crowds, Jesus' prime audience were the twelve men who were His apostles--eleven of whom remained faithful and changed the world.  I'm on really shaky ground, here, because I'm going to compare myself to Jesus.  I, too, am a preacher/teacher.  Nothing brings me greater joy, as a communicator, than to receive feedback that what I have attempted to teach has actually been learned.  When I hear from a person, or, even more, when I see in a person's life, that they got it--WONDERFUL! We've been working through the book of 1 Peter.  Peter was one of those twelve whom the Lord had chosen to be with Him so He could pour his life and teaching into their hearts.  I have to think it caused the Lord great joy to hear Peter say, "   “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,” (1 Peter 3:13–14).   You see, Jesus had preached a message about that concept to the Twelve, just before He sent them out on a ministry tour.  You can find it inMatthew 10.  Though Jesus tells Peter and his comrades that they will be like sheep in the midst of wolves, and that they will face all kinds of opposition and persecution, He tells them to not be afraid.      “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28, NASB95)   When Peter challenged the persecuted believers with the echo of his teacher's question, I imagine a smile must have come across the Lord's face.  "He got it!  That loud-mouthed fisherman was actually listening." Let's make the Lord smile today. Let's encourage those who faithfully teach God's word (here). Listen, do, teach others.   It's Something to Think About.   Here is an interesting picture of what is wrong with the world and how God's message makes it right.