Jesus - Always Inspiring!
Thomas A. Gaskill August 21, 2011
Selections from 1 Corinthians 10:23,24,31,11:1 NKJV
(23) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. (Thayer: to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness)
(24) Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
(31) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(1) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, its first definition of “inspire” on the list reads: to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration.
The Thesaurus defines “inspire”: to fill with courage or strength of purpose; to draw out; to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding.
The dictionary go on to define “inspiration” as a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.
Many theologians believe in what is called “prevenient grace”. This is the grace of God that goes before to prepare the way and enable one to receive sacred revelation.
God’s prevenient grace includes inspiration!
Jesus was one who inspired in various settings and ways. Jesus always inspired others to receive His sacred revelation.
*Jesus inspired others in the midst of their celebration; He inspired with His provision of wine at the wedding in Cana.
*Jesus inspired others in the midst of their lack of knowledge; He inspired with His proclamations of truth
*Jesus inspired others in the midst of their hunger; He inspired with His feeding the multitudes
*Jesus inspired others in the midst of their handicaps; He inspired with His healings of the sick, lame, blind, deaf
*Jesus inspired others in the midst of demons; He inspired with His authoritative exorcisms
(man living in the tombs, no clothing, tried to keep him under guard with shackles and chains to prevent him from cutting himself with rocks – but he would always break free and could be heard with loud cries from the wilderness as he continued to inflict himself with painful wounds; Jesus cast the demons out into a herd of about 2000 pigs[Mk 5:13]. Destroyed the pigherd and owners asked Jesus to leave. The former demon-possessed man went and proclaimed throughout the whole city what Jesus had done for him [Lk 8:39].
*Jesus inspired others in the midst of death; He inspired with His raising the dead back to life: the widows only son and Lazarus
The widow’s only son: Luke 7:11-17 NKJV
(11) Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.
(12) And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.
(13) When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."
(14) Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."
(15) So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
(16) Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people."
(17) And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. [They were inspired to inspire others – they could not keep silent!]
Lazarus: John 11:43-47,53 NKJV
(43) Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"
(44) And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."
(45) Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
(46) But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.
(47) Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
(53) Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
Jesus’ inspiration would sometimes stir up agitation in others and be rejected by some.
Raising Lazarus from the dead: inspired the recognition of Jesus as the Giver of life
Cleansed the temple: inspired pure worship of God
Healed on the Sabbath day: inspired works of necessity and mercy
Reached out to the sinful: inspired hope and love for all
Confronted the religious system that had gone astray: inspired a greater understanding of God
Jesus was one who inspired because He walked in perfect love.
Love for God in obedience to His Father and empowerment of the Holy Spirit
Love for fellow man in dwelling among us and dying for us
From being born of the virgin mother to dying on the cross – from the beginning of His earthly life to its end, Jesus was Always Inspiring! Nothing could keep Jesus from always inspiring; His enemies tried to limit Him by giving Him a criminals death when they crucified Him between two thieves. But even from the cross, Jesus inspired with His final words of love. Jesus’ death resulted in His greatest inspiration when He rose from the dead!!!
Jesus – Always Inspiring!
From His resurrection from the dead to His coming again, Jesus not only was, but is and will be Always Inspiring!
Be imitators of Jesus – Always Inspiring – regardless of the circumstances! Always inspiring others in the faith!
