As always, please be advised that you are never under any obligation to read my posts. My contribution to the spreading of God's Word, whether through gospel or prophecy, is intended for receptive ears only.
Men are often biased, favoring one another based on status and titles. Surprisingly enough, God operates based on the same premise, just different criteria. Yes, He is partial to titles as well. Howbeit, His favor is not based on grandeur, but rather on circumstance. A few of the titles that God favors include: "Least of these", "Widow", "Orphan", "Elder", "Oppressed", "Outcast", and the like. So that where there's an attempt to claim a collective reward based on a city's offering, that city must likewise accept collective responsibility for the offenses levied against those whom God favors.
While not universally regarded as derelicts in the criminal sense, Jesus and his disciples were certainly viewed by many in authority and elite society as social outcasts and vagrants.
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This is how they were perceived:
Social Outcasts & Homeless: Jesus and his followers were often seen as wandering, homeless individuals with no permanent place to stay. Jesus himself noted that the "Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head".
Associating with the "Least": Jesus specifically associated with sinners, tax collectors, and the poor, which caused the religious elite to look down on him and his disciples.
Intentional Destitution: The disciples were "commanded to leave behind their possessions and livelihood" to follow Jesus, which initially led to a lifestyle of poverty which was orchestrated to bless those who blessed them, unresentfully; and ultimately exalt his chosen.
Perceived as a Threat: Because they operated "outside the established religious and social structures," they were sometimes viewed as a chaotic or threatening group.
Radical Lifestyle: Their destitution and "willingness to suffer" was often misinterpreted as strange and "derelict" by man's standards.
Summary: God frequently shows special favor to the outcast, marginalized, and rejected, often exalting them to demonstrate His divine power.
End of search engine results.
Discernment is necessary. While God is merciful to the marginalized, not all marginalized are chosen, favored, or even followers of Christ. Their circumstance may be the same, but there's a vast difference between derelict, in the true criminal sense of the word, and being cast out for being loyal to Christ. Jesus teaches the crowd that God's will for all nations is that hospitality be extended to his followers; specifically those whom he sends into the world empty of the world's goods (Matthew 25:31-46 & Mark 14:6).
⁴⁵While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." ⁴⁸He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" ⁴⁹Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers". ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12 (NIV)
While the lowly status of the poor present opportunities for others to gain favor from God through giving, casting the needy out, simply because you have the authority to do so, is not just abuse of power, it's injustice — a direct affront to Christ. Injustice, of any kind, being rooted in evil, consequently curses the offender.
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the Kingdom He promised those who love Him? James 2:5 (NIV)
Though a Great King indeed, God sent Jesus into the world as "One of the least of these." The world rejected Him based on their perception of his lowly status.
Men are often biased, favoring one another based on status and titles. Surprisingly enough, God operates based on the same premise, just different criteria. Yes, He is partial to titles as well. Howbeit, His favor is not based on grandeur, but rather on circumstance. A few of the titles that God favors include: "Least of these", "Widow", "Orphan", "Elder", "Oppressed", "Outcast", and the like. So that where there's an attempt to claim a collective reward based on a city's offering, that city must likewise accept collective responsibility for the offenses levied against those whom God favors.
While not universally regarded as derelicts in the criminal sense, Jesus and his disciples were certainly viewed by many in authority and elite society as social outcasts and vagrants.
Search engine results...
This is how they were perceived:
Social Outcasts & Homeless: Jesus and his followers were often seen as wandering, homeless individuals with no permanent place to stay. Jesus himself noted that the "Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head".
Associating with the "Least": Jesus specifically associated with sinners, tax collectors, and the poor, which caused the religious elite to look down on him and his disciples.
Intentional Destitution: The disciples were "commanded to leave behind their possessions and livelihood" to follow Jesus, which initially led to a lifestyle of poverty which was orchestrated to bless those who blessed them, unresentfully; and ultimately exalt his chosen.
Perceived as a Threat: Because they operated "outside the established religious and social structures," they were sometimes viewed as a chaotic or threatening group.
Radical Lifestyle: Their destitution and "willingness to suffer" was often misinterpreted as strange and "derelict" by man's standards.
Summary: God frequently shows special favor to the outcast, marginalized, and rejected, often exalting them to demonstrate His divine power.
End of search engine results.
Discernment is necessary. While God is merciful to the marginalized, not all marginalized are chosen, favored, or even followers of Christ. Their circumstance may be the same, but there's a vast difference between derelict, in the true criminal sense of the word, and being cast out for being loyal to Christ. Jesus teaches the crowd that God's will for all nations is that hospitality be extended to his followers; specifically those whom he sends into the world empty of the world's goods (Matthew 25:31-46 & Mark 14:6).
⁴⁵While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." ⁴⁸He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" ⁴⁹Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers". ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12 (NIV)
While the lowly status of the poor present opportunities for others to gain favor from God through giving, casting the needy out, simply because you have the authority to do so, is not just abuse of power, it's injustice — a direct affront to Christ. Injustice, of any kind, being rooted in evil, consequently curses the offender.
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the Kingdom He promised those who love Him? James 2:5 (NIV)
Though a Great King indeed, God sent Jesus into the world as "One of the least of these." The world rejected Him based on their perception of his lowly status.
Orphans—Widows—Elders
The least of these My brothers
The least of these My brothers
Again: Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers".
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