For Jesus, King and Country

What a response, the Israelis give, to their enemies who question them on the rebuilding of the temple - in Ezra 5:11!

In today's modern world, where we (Christian included) try to be politically correct all the time, could we ever think of telling some Government official asking us who we are and why we're doing something, "We're children of the most High God. We're doing what the King of Heaven commanded us to do. And also what has been allowed us under the constitution."

At best, we may leave out the first two sentences in the above dialogue, and put forth only the third sentence. Why?

What makes us so scared of earthly powers and the government? We are not standing against the Government at any point; we are not called to do that. In fact, the Bible recommends that we dutifully pay taxes to the current ruler (or government, in today's world) and abide by the laws of the land (where they do not directly conflict with the ideals of heaven).

It's time for us to wake up. Stop being cowards. We're children of the most High God. We're doing what the greatest King in history has asked us to do. And what has been allowed for us to do, per the Constitution of India.

Jai Hind... Jai Jesus.

Jewishness level: Terrorism

Nehemiah is the one who was cup-bearer to an alien king, while in exile from the land of Israel. He sought, and was granted, permission to go back to Israel to help the straggling, scattered few who were returning to Jerusalem - in rebuilding the wall. Till this point - Chapter 13 - he seems to be a fantastic Jewish hero. He's beaten the odds, prayed to His God, and raised up the walls around Jerusalem - all signs of an Israeli hero. So, it comes as a shock to see him beating, tearing out hair and basically forcing people into marriage - something that we frown upon very nastily today.

We can blame it on the culture of the day, but consider this. Nehemiah was doing what he thought was right, as ordered by his religious law and his God. He was hurting other people for it. Take into consideration now, the fact that a few chapters earlier, he had ordered his Israeli people to rebuild the wall with a sword in one hand and the rebuilding tools in the other hand - since they were under threat by the infamous, non-Jewish Sanballat and Tobiah. To me, living in the 21st century, this sounds like a terrorist or a zealot. Someone who so keenly follows what he thinks his religious law says, to the detriment of others.

Jesus completely turns such thinking around, right? Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. God sees the inside, man sees the outside. And so on.

Basically, the point is this - the Bible is a fantastic book. But it is a fantastic book about Cracked Pots. Just like you and me. And God still uses such cracked pots to bring his purposes to fruition.