The one i love

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Young Couples Retreat March 2011: Young Couples Retreat March 2011: Ehab RoufailEhab Roufail

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Let’s get to discuss a bit The Let’s get to discuss a bit The Character of the One we love to Character of the One we love to followfollow

His CreativityHis Creativity His DepthHis Depth His RighteousnessHis Righteousness His Psychological insightHis Psychological insight His CompassionHis Compassion

His CreativityHis Creativity

Intellect and Creativity.Intellect and Creativity. His sayings have fascinated and His sayings have fascinated and challenged the greatest minds in history.challenged the greatest minds in history.

Displayed in His Displayed in His wonderful use of words. wonderful use of words. When His When His sayings are restored to their original Aramaic, many have sayings are restored to their original Aramaic, many have poetical features, including parallelism, rhythm, and even poetical features, including parallelism, rhythm, and even rhymerhyme

Our Lord‘s Our Lord‘s parables parables are masterful creations combining are masterful creations combining utmost simplicity with profound depth. They present scenes utmost simplicity with profound depth. They present scenes familiar to common people. As a result, they are accessible to familiar to common people. As a result, they are accessible to every audience. every audience.

All His sayings are All His sayings are conciseconcise and and well moldedwell molded.. His use of metaphors and in compressing ideas into a few His use of metaphors and in compressing ideas into a few

words was words was geniusgenius. By a few quick strokes He could . By a few quick strokes He could transform complex truth into an effective word painting.transform complex truth into an effective word painting.

His Debating skillHis Debating skill

Which of us in debate does not fumble around for the Which of us in debate does not fumble around for the right argument? right argument?

Yet, even when His enemies pressed Him savagely or Yet, even when His enemies pressed Him savagely or tried to trap Him, Jesus found the right argument tried to trap Him, Jesus found the right argument instantly and with ease. instantly and with ease.

His intellectual self-possession was remarkable. As a boy, His intellectual self-possession was remarkable. As a boy, He confounded the religious teachers in Jerusalem (Luke He confounded the religious teachers in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-50).2:41-50).

As a man, He could in a few words silence the shrewdest As a man, He could in a few words silence the shrewdest adversary (Matt. 22:22, 33, 46)adversary (Matt. 22:22, 33, 46)

He was straight to the point and fashioned the truth to fit He was straight to the point and fashioned the truth to fit simple statements that everyone could understand and simple statements that everyone could understand and remember.remember.

His DepthHis Depth

Nothing in the nonbiblical writings of man is Nothing in the nonbiblical writings of man is comparable to the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). comparable to the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).

For thousands of years men have revered, studied, and For thousands of years men have revered, studied, and debated this short homily, but have failed to exhaust its debated this short homily, but have failed to exhaust its treasures, though it contains less than three thousand treasures, though it contains less than three thousand words. words.

It is a work of exceeding brilliance in its It is a work of exceeding brilliance in its – structure, structure, – economy, economy, – vividness, vividness, – use of metaphor, use of metaphor, – originality, originality, – and moral insight.and moral insight.

His His RighteousnessRighteousness

During the days of His ministry, the only charges During the days of His ministry, the only charges that Jesus' enemies brought against His that Jesus' enemies brought against His character were these:character were these:

He ate with publicans (tax collectors) and He ate with publicans (tax collectors) and sinners (Matt. 9:10-13). sinners (Matt. 9:10-13).

He disregarded Sabbath law by healing on the He disregarded Sabbath law by healing on the Sabbath and by allowing His disciples to pluck Sabbath and by allowing His disciples to pluck handfuls of grain on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-handfuls of grain on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-13). 13).

He did healings by the power of the devil (Matt. He did healings by the power of the devil (Matt. 12:24). 12:24).

His His RighteousnessRighteousness

His disciples failed to wash their hands before His disciples failed to wash their hands before eating bread (Matt. 15:2). eating bread (Matt. 15:2).

At His trial, His enemies raised a charge of At His trial, His enemies raised a charge of sedition, but this was dismissed by the Roman sedition, but this was dismissed by the Roman governor, Pilate (Luke 23:2-4). governor, Pilate (Luke 23:2-4).

His life, though scrutinized by bitter enemies, His life, though scrutinized by bitter enemies, yielded no hint of covetousness or scandal. He yielded no hint of covetousness or scandal. He was able in a public forum to challenge His was able in a public forum to challenge His enemies with the question, "Which of you enemies with the question, "Which of you convincts me of sin?" (John 8:46).convincts me of sin?" (John 8:46).

His Psychological His Psychological insightinsight

Our Lord on earth was a man who understood Our Lord on earth was a man who understood people. His dealings with them were never bumbling people. His dealings with them were never bumbling or inept. or inept.

He always knew exactly what nuance to assume in He always knew exactly what nuance to assume in His speech and manner. His speech and manner.

With the proud He was abrupt and penetrating (John With the proud He was abrupt and penetrating (John 3:1-10), but with the humble He was gentle and 3:1-10), but with the humble He was gentle and patient (Matt. 8:2-3).patient (Matt. 8:2-3).

He uncovers the sordid past of the Samaritan He uncovers the sordid past of the Samaritan woman by prodding her into speaking the truth woman by prodding her into speaking the truth herself, so that she will feel ashamed rather than herself, so that she will feel ashamed rather than defensive (John 4:5-42). defensive (John 4:5-42).

His Psychological His Psychological insightinsight

Though He has warm feelings for the rich young Though He has warm feelings for the rich young ruler, He greets him with a hard demand, for He ruler, He greets him with a hard demand, for He perceives that the man is motivated by perceives that the man is motivated by challenge. challenge.

The man says, in essence, that he has The man says, in essence, that he has mastered all the difficult requirements of the mastered all the difficult requirements of the law, so Jesus lays down an even more difficult law, so Jesus lays down an even more difficult requirement, the one most helpful to his requirement, the one most helpful to his spiritual growth. spiritual growth.

He tells the man to give up earthly possessions He tells the man to give up earthly possessions and come and come follow mefollow me(Mark 10:17-27). (Mark 10:17-27).

His CompassionHis Compassion

Yet another quality of Jesus' mind was compassion. Yet another quality of Jesus' mind was compassion. He defended the poor and oppressed (Luke 6:20-He defended the poor and oppressed (Luke 6:20-

21; 14:12-14). 21; 14:12-14). He bestowed His blessing upon children (Luke He bestowed His blessing upon children (Luke

18:15-17; notice also, in Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 and 18:15-17; notice also, in Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 and Luke 7:11-17, that two of the three persons He Luke 7:11-17, that two of the three persons He raised from the dead were young). raised from the dead were young).

Through His healing ministry, He brought relief to Through His healing ministry, He brought relief to multitudes of the sick, disabled, and possessed. multitudes of the sick, disabled, and possessed.

He was moved with concern for the gathering He was moved with concern for the gathering crowds lost in darkness (Matt. 9:35-38).crowds lost in darkness (Matt. 9:35-38).

His CompassionHis Compassion He gave unstinting love and kindness even to He gave unstinting love and kindness even to

total outcasts.total outcasts. Samaritans.Samaritans. These were a people of mixed These were a people of mixed

race, part Israelite and part gentile. Pure-race, part Israelite and part gentile. Pure-blooded Jews saw Samaritans as the scum of blooded Jews saw Samaritans as the scum of the earth. Yet one of the first with whom Jesus the earth. Yet one of the first with whom Jesus shared the good news that He was the Christ shared the good news that He was the Christ was the woman at the well in Samaria (John was the woman at the well in Samaria (John 4:3-30). In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, 4:3-30). In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus used a Samaritan to epitomize brotherly Jesus used a Samaritan to epitomize brotherly love (Luke 10:25-37). love (Luke 10:25-37).

His CompassionHis Compassion Tax Collectors.Tax Collectors. The Jews paid taxes to fellow The Jews paid taxes to fellow

countrymen hired by the Romans. These countrymen hired by the Romans. These publicans were objects of general scorn. Others publicans were objects of general scorn. Others viewed them as no better than common viewed them as no better than common thieves, even as traitors to their own people. thieves, even as traitors to their own people. Yet Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to be Yet Jesus called Matthew the tax collector to be His disciple, and He honored another one, His disciple, and He honored another one, Zacchaeus, by visiting his home (Luke 19:1-10). Zacchaeus, by visiting his home (Luke 19:1-10).

Immoral women.Immoral women. Jesus allowed a woman of ill Jesus allowed a woman of ill repute to wash His feet with tears of repute to wash His feet with tears of repentance (Luke 7:36-50). repentance (Luke 7:36-50).

His CompassionHis Compassion Common criminals. Common criminals. Two thieves were crucified Two thieves were crucified

along with Jesus. Jesus promised the repentant thief along with Jesus. Jesus promised the repentant thief that He would take him to Paradise (Luke 23:39-43). that He would take him to Paradise (Luke 23:39-43).

Lepers. Lepers. In obedience to the law of Moses, the Jews In obedience to the law of Moses, the Jews forced all lepers to live apart from society. Yet Jesus forced all lepers to live apart from society. Yet Jesus did not hesitate to meet them and heal them. He was did not hesitate to meet them and heal them. He was even willing, as a sign of His healing power, to reach even willing, as a sign of His healing power, to reach out and touch a leper (Mark 1:40-42). out and touch a leper (Mark 1:40-42).

Demoniacs. Demoniacs. Because they were feared, they were Because they were feared, they were social outcasts as well. But Lord Jesus liberates them social outcasts as well. But Lord Jesus liberates them from the oppression of tormenting spirits. from the oppression of tormenting spirits.

His CompassionHis Compassion The poor.The poor. The Pharisees thought that if a man was The Pharisees thought that if a man was

righteous, God made him wealthy and successful. righteous, God made him wealthy and successful. So, they assumed that poverty was evidence of So, they assumed that poverty was evidence of God's disfavor. Yet Jesus said that God had God's disfavor. Yet Jesus said that God had anointed Him to preach the gospel to the poor anointed Him to preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:18), and He said also, "Blessed be ye poor" (Luke 4:18), and He said also, "Blessed be ye poor" (Luke 6:20).(Luke 6:20).

The Widows.The Widows. He raised from the dead the widows He raised from the dead the widows son and pointed out the sacrificial love of a widows son and pointed out the sacrificial love of a widows offering of two coinsoffering of two coins

The OrphansThe Orphans. He taught the Our Father prayer so . He taught the Our Father prayer so that all know we our sons and daughters of God. that all know we our sons and daughters of God.

But why was he But why was he so silent in His so silent in His

trialtrial Listen to this ...Listen to this ... 1. When was Jesus silent?1. When was Jesus silent? 2. When did he speak?2. When did he speak? 3. When does he tell us to be silent?3. When does he tell us to be silent? 4. And when does he tell us to speak?4. And when does he tell us to speak?

Jesus was silent Jesus was silent before his before his accusersaccusers

Mark 14:53-65Mark 14:53-65 (v55) “the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so (v55) “the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so

that they could put him to death.”that they could put him to death.” Many people came forward telling stories about Jesus that would give a reason for him to Many people came forward telling stories about Jesus that would give a reason for him to

be put to death. But as another story was told it became clear that these things were be put to death. But as another story was told it became clear that these things were complete fabrications, a pack of lies.complete fabrications, a pack of lies.

57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I willhim say, ‘I will

destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made withwith

hands.’” hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. What Jesus actually said was:What Jesus actually said was: ““Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19)Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19) So this was twisting Jesus’ words, he wasn’t talking about Herod’s temple, he was talking So this was twisting Jesus’ words, he wasn’t talking about Herod’s temple, he was talking

aboutabout himself. And he didn’t say he was going to destroy it, he said if himself. And he didn’t say he was going to destroy it, he said if they destroyed it he would they destroyed it he would

raise it upraise it up again.again. How do you react when people say things about you that aren’t true?How do you react when people say things about you that aren’t true?


57 Then some stood up and gave this false 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.even then their testimony did not agree.

What Jesus actually said was:What Jesus actually said was:““Destroy this temple, and I will raise it Destroy this temple, and I will raise it

again in three days.” (John 2:19)again in three days.” (John 2:19)


So this was twisting Jesus’ words, he So this was twisting Jesus’ words, he wasn’t talking about Herod’s temple, he wasn’t talking about Herod’s temple, he was talking about himself. And he didn’t was talking about himself. And he didn’t say he was going to destroy it, he said say he was going to destroy it, he said if if they destroyed it he would raise it up they destroyed it he would raise it up again.again.

How do we react when people say How do we react when people say things about us that aren’t true?things about us that aren’t true?


When people accuse us falsely we want to When people accuse us falsely we want to correct them just to save face but Jesus here correct them just to save face but Jesus here has a bit more at stake than his reputation.has a bit more at stake than his reputation.

They are plotting to kill him, this false They are plotting to kill him, this false testimony claiming that he said he would pull testimony claiming that he said he would pull down Herod’s temple could be interpreted as down Herod’s temple could be interpreted as treason and could get him killed.treason and could get him killed.

Yet Jesus says nothing. Why just roll over and Yet Jesus says nothing. Why just roll over and take it? Why didn’t Jesus stand up for take it? Why didn’t Jesus stand up for himself?himself?


His secret mission was to die for us – so His secret mission was to die for us – so He did not defend HimselfHe did not defend Himself

Isaiah prophesied this centuries before:Isaiah prophesied this centuries before:He was oppressed and afflicted,He was oppressed and afflicted,yet he did not open his mouth;yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.so he did not open his mouth.(Isaiah 53:7)(Isaiah 53:7)

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The one i love