HE RESTORED HIS EARS

Main Scriptures: Matt. 24:49-51

More Scriptures: Gal.4:13, Heb.2:17, Matt.14:14

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he, hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus and said, hail, Master, and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, friends, wherefore art thou come? Then came they and laid hands on Jesus and took him. And behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest’s and smote off his ear (Matt.26:48-51)

The story in our main Scriptural text today is an interesting one. Some persons working with Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples came to arrest Jesus Christ. And as they attempted to arrest Jesus Christ, one of His disciples out of anger brought out his sword and cut off the ear of the man who was among those that came to arrest Him. Jesus Christ who was the target of the assault asked His disciple to sheath his sword. He picked the cut-off ear and restored it back to its rightful place. Jesus had every reason to leave the ear unattended and leave the arrestor in pains and anguish. He could as well have started a revolt and cause public disturbance. Yet, He was compassionate to the man who had come to hurt him.

That is the attitude God wants you to adopt in your dealings and relationship with your wife and children. It could be true that your sheep may have betrayed you. They may have said unpleasant things against you. They may have abused you and embarrassed you publicly. If you decide to revenge and pay them back in their own coin, you are right. And if you make up your mind to give them the treatment of an eye for an eye, you may be justified. But does that make you the godly husbandman? Does that make an example of Jesus Christ? The answer is, no. Jesus Christ, the perfect example of the good and godly shepherd demonstrated that to you and I. He had compassion on the man whose ear was cut off. He restored the ear back to him. God wants you to demonstrate that kind of compassion and mercy to your wife and children. He wants you to help them recover every godly habit and character that they may have lost to satan, sin and the world. He wants you to them their lost dignity and honour. Your sheep may not deserve it, but you can show them what the love of Christ represents.

However, you cannot live like Jesus Christ to your wife and children until you have His life working inside of you. The Scripture says, I no longer live but Jesus who lives in me (Gal.2:20). The more of His life you have in you, the more His nature you exhibit to your wife and children and that is what makes you the good and godly shepherd.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me to overcome offences with Your forgiveness.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, help me to overcome the force of revenge and bitterness.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, I declare You to be the LORD over my life and sheepfold.

FAITH CONFESSION

I have the mind of Christ and I am ruled by the word because that is what makes me the good and godly husband to my wife and children in Jesus Name. Amen.

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