Scripture

My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
    an evil gang closes in on me.

~Psalm 22:16, NLT

Quote

When humans give up their divine distinctive {being created in God’s image} they become like beasts rending and tearing at their prey.

~Gerald H. Wilson

Psalm 22 is possibly the most astounding piece of literature in the world. It is a vivid description of the crucifixion one thousand years before it actually happened and hundreds of years before crucifixion was invented. Ciaphais and the Sanhedrin represented the elites in Jewish society: the most educated, religious, successful, wealthy and sophisticated in the land, and yet they act like a pack of ravenous dogs at the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. It is astounding, that such people could act like beast of prey. The Psalm mentions three beast: dogs, lions and wild bulls [Aurochs]. You probably wouldn’t think of a wild bull as being the same kind of threat as a lion of a pack of wild dogs, but the Aurochs were about 7 feet tall at the shoulders and had a horn span of 62 inches. They are now extinct, but in David’s time, they were feared.

You can’t reason with a beast. They are driven by their appetite and instinct. They have no discernment between right or wrong, good or evil. They have one thing in mind and that is to satisfy their appetite and survive. The behavior of the Jewish leaders who mocked Jesus as He suffered on the cross is appalling. How could any human stoop to this level? Why would you mock or taunt anyone who is dying? Such behavior is beastial and totally unacceptable. I have stood by the side of many a dying person and I have yet to see one mocked and rediculed the way they did Jesus. I am not a big man, nor am I powerful, but I would do everything in my power to stop such a thing from happening.

Luke 23:48 suggest as does the song, “They all walked away with nothing to say.” The death of Jesus triggered a lot of things. Joseph and Nicodemus had been silent about their faith until Jesus died. The Jewish religious leaders had been mocking Jesus as He died but once He died they were beating on their chest; they couldn’t breath, let alone talk. This has happened to me only twice in my lifetime. It happens when we are traumatized. We cannot get enough air into our lungs and we instinctively beat on our chest.

I seen something simular when I went with a group of about 24 to see the Passion of Christ. When the movie ended, no one moved and no one said a word. It was probably a couple of minutes before anyone got up and walked out but no one spoke a word and they didn’t all leave at once. Slowly, couple by couple, people exited the theater silently. I have never seen anything like it before or since. Let’s act like human today. Do an act of kindness for someone instead of tearing at someone’s flesh.

Extra

Memorial Day program was long yesterday but the general from the Arsenal delivered a great speech. I am afraid this kind of thing is passing away, no young people attend. Joe David and Josh are exceptions. Most folks are my age or older. DBC had three in attendance and GP at two: Josh and myself. I thought we would have at least 3-4. I think there were six gold star moms in attendance including Jon Erik’s mom who JD and I got to talk to. It is a moving service. Sue and Eddy sat by us and Sue said she wasn’t doing that again. I got to amening the general and snubbing too: I weep for those mothers. We have to do better at “remembering.”

Must have had a little wind last night. When I got to office this morning, there was a fallen limb about 30 feet from the building. It is a good size limb. Big enough to kill a person or damage a building. We have one dead tree, two leaners that I want the wind to blow down and they will not fall. Two of the tree are dangerous. I don’t even mow under the dead one anymore. Amazing, the Oak Ridge/Rocky Ford area lost 20 oaks this past week and many of them were huge; not one single stinking pine or sweet gum. The best thing to do with a pine in your yard is to pull it up when it is a foot high. You don’t want pine, sweet gum or pecan trees in your yard: they are super messy.

Like the cool weather. Garden still looking good. June gathered squash yesterday and getting the broccoli today. If anyone wants a head of cabbage, drop by and I will get you one.

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.