Covering Sin

Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.  (KJV)

A perfect example of love covering sins and the very clear difference between that and a gossip.  Ham's (the gossip) generations were cursed.  He had observed all that his father had done, including looking upon his nakedness.  He demonstrated his lack of love for his dad by going to tell his brothers all about the great sin their dad had committed.  I have to wonder if maybe Ham did this to justify his own intentions to do the same some day.  Or possibly to use this occassion to justify some sin he had committed.  Either way, he chose gossiping about it, rather than helping his dad.

The other two boys were completely different in their response to the news.  No doubt they spoke about it, but the conversation was in the form of how to help their dad, and this was out of pure hearts.  Often we speak about the sins of others with the pretense of helping.  We add to our sin of gossip the sin of lying.  The real test of our intent is the action we take.  Ham and Japheth took immediate, helpful, loving action.  They would have to have discussed and worked out a plan of action, "Okay, here's what we should do.  We will each take a corner of that blanket right there and cover Dad with it.  And to make sure we don't see his nakedness and add to his sin, we will walk backwards into the tent.  We will know we have sufficiently covered by him by looking at his the blanket is positioned over his feet."

Am I gossiping or helping?  Not all action needs a plan worked out with another person.  There are several times when I don't need to get anyone else involved.  For instance; when my brother sins against me.  I have no need to tell anyone else.  I simply follow Matthew 18 with the intentions of restoring my brother to myself.  It does not matter that he has wounded me.  If I am to be a Christian, or Christ like, I should do as He did with those who pierced Him.  Love them, and forgive them.

Coverings Sin

Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.  (KJV)

A perfect example of love covering sins and the very clear difference between that and a gossip.  Ham's (the gossip) generations were cursed.  He had observed all that his father had done, including looking upon his nakedness.  He demonstrated his lack of love for his dad by going to tell his brothers all about the great sin their dad had committed.  I have to wonder if maybe Ham did this to justify his own intentions to do the same some day.  Or possibly to use this occassion to justify some sin he had committed.  Either way, he chose gossiping about it, rather than helping his dad.

The other two boys were completely different in their response to the news.  No doubt they spoke about it, but the conversation was in the form of how to help their dad, and this was out of pure hearts.  Often we speak about the sins of others with the pretense of helping.  We add to our sin of gossip the sin of lying.  The real test of our intent is the action we take.  Ham and Japheth took immediate, helpful, loving action.  They would have to have discussed and worked out a plan of action, "Okay, here's what we should do.  We will each take a corner of that blanket right there and cover Dad with it.  And to make sure we don't see his nakedness and add to his sin, we will walk backwards into the tent.  We will know we have sufficiently covered by him by looking at his the blanket is positioned over his feet."

Am I gossiping or helping?  Not all action needs a plan worked out with another person.  There are several times when I don't need to get anyone else involved.  For instance; when my brother sins against me.  I have no need to tell anyone else.  I simply follow Matthew 18 with the intentions of restoring my brother to myself.  It does not matter that he has wounded me.  If I am to be a Christian, or Christ like, I should do as He did with those who pierced Him.  Love them, and forgive them. - Genesis 9:23 (KJV Strongs) - recorded in CadreBible 1/3/12 7:58 AM

A Touch Of Understanding

Mar 8:22
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
KJV

"Jesus is coming!" they excitedly told him.  "The one who heals people.  He's made the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the blind see!  Come, we'll take you to Him!  Perhaps He will give you your sight." 

"Oh," groaned the man to whom they had been speaking, "to be able to see once again.  I have lived in darkness since I was just a little boy learning how to play."

So off they went.  The blind man was led to Jesus by his friends and family.  When they came to Him they prayed Jesus to simply touch their blind friend so that his sight would be restored.  That's how he had healed others, they had simply been touched.  The leper, the woman with the issue of blood, the deaf, and others who were blind.  They had heard of times when Jesus simply spoke and people were healed, but their faith was not such as to believe He would do that.  No, this case needed His touch.  This man needed His touch.

Sometimes His voice is oh so comforting.  Sometimes simply being in His presence is all I need.  Sometimes that isn't enough at all.  Sometimes what I need is for Jesus to touch me.  There is none else to compare to the touch of God at just the right moment.  The healing touch when my spirit is sad, overwhelmed, afraid, or doubtful.  The wonderful touch of God that immediately restores my soul and strengthens my resolve, restores my joy, and provides my purpose. 

Elijah needed Jesus to touch him after his wonderful experience on MT. Carmel.  Elijah had sunk into such a state of depression that the only way out was to be slapped back to his senses.  Not quite the touch you had in mind?  It was the touch he needed. 

The leper who had come to Jesus for healing needed His touch as much as he needed to be healed.  His desire to be healed was not just that his health and life might be restored, but that he might be loved, accepted, and touched by people again.  He had been shunned, avoided, judged, and even hated by those he had encountered for so long that he wanted love more than he wanted healing.  Jesus reached out and touched him.  He healed that man's heart, and He healed his leprousy.  This man was looking for Jesus' touch.