WHEN 'BEING' BUSTS THE BOX! (Part I)

Now those considering Jesus had just finished itemizing His accomplishments and marvelled at how He handled spiritual and biblical truths; yet they were resigned to consider Him an ordinary fella, stepping way out of line, and were offended. Why the offense? Was the offense because of what He did and claimed, or was it about what they were not? They had to keep Him in a box, so as not to challenge their own 'box' of endearments. How dare He be different!
Was it not good enough to fit in the 'son-box,’ or the 'brother-box,’ or the 'carpenter-box,’ or the
'neighbor-box,’ or the 'just like us-box?’ Who does He think He is, when we know Him sooo well?

Yea, we sort of remember that odd beginning of His, but hey, He was on my basketball team for a few seasons, and besides having a very good hook shot, He was us; He hung out with us at school, got the best grades, but He was us. I worked with Him a few times, and boy, could he handle wood; but He was us. How dare He not be us anymore!? Their aversion to Jesus being this way was so affective that in His own place, with those dear to Him, He could do very little for them, or with them.

The chastisement of a good mirror can be rough, but it has value, and when we see holiness lived out, and love lived out greatly, we can either be challenged to aspire to a greater 'box,’ or reject the fact that we are failing [or at least falling short] with that familiar box of our adoption.
Jesus brandished a glorious 'box.’ Our calling is to be bigger than the ole 'box' we got. With the Spirit and the Word within, our old box is declared with an expiration date. Our new being busts that box. Being 'born again' means having a bigger, better box than before [and not everyone is going to like it].

We've got a lot to like. “...If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He [Jesus speaking] who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, "From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive..” [John 7:37-39]  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” [John 6:47-48] “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified…Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful...” [Hebrews 10:14,23]

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to persevere with this glorious burden of newness, that I continue as You would have me to. Bless, as only You can, one precious day at a time, I gratefully ask in Your name.
Amen.
By Bro. Brockington