I have posted quite a few pictures of the Northern lights, but never one like this!!! When was the last time you saw yellow or orange in a picture like this??? For me, the answer is NEVER!!!! What causes this? My guess would be that the sun is about to rise, but that is all it is... a guess! Its nice to see these "lights of a different color" because something both new and beautiful like this enriches your life. Knowledge is wonderful, because it changes you into a more complex human being and allows you to live life more fully. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks this way, and I imagine that there are people out there who will view this amazing picture and say something like: big deal, just another picture!!! Some people just like to find fault no matter what they see. For them criticism is a way of life. This is true today and it was in Jesus' time as well. Take a moment and read the following passage from the book of Matthew and reflect on these thoughts...
Matthew, Chapter 11
7 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king’s houses. 9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Today, I posted two studies by Mark Copeland about the book of Malachi. This is relevant for this post because Jesus is referring to that book when he is discussing John. The Pharisees would not respond to John's message of repentance and found fault with Jesus' actions as well. They had their minds made up and were really not willing to experience something new. But, the last part of verse 19 is crucial here. True wisdom is revealed by those who understand the truth and become the children of wisdom. I hope that I never grow too old to appreciate something new (like the unusual Aurora Borealis above) or spiritual insight from the Bible. My prayer for today: LORD, open my eyes to see both beauty and truth; grant me the wisdom to understand and apply both!!!!