"For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles..." (1 Corinthians 1:22-23, ESV)
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I've done a lot of reading this past week of "obscure" bible stories. Not stories we'd tell our children in Sunday School. Noah's Ark is fun, and Jonah makes for a good felt board. But there are stories in the Bible that we wouldn't dare tell our children. While I don't think that's a bad thing, I do believe it's important to share these stories with people as they are older, and have a better understanding of the entirety of the Gospel.
I'll be the first to admit: During my study time this week, I came across a few stories that I had NEVER heard before. It was incredibly humbling, and made me realize just how little of the Word I have actually committed to my heart. At the same time, it made me sit in awe and praise Jesus, for He is far bigger and greater than I will ever be able to comprehend.
I wanted to share one of these "new" stories with people this week, for a couple of reasons. First, it's awesome. Who knew the Lord used ninjas to accomplish his plan? Second, this story from Judges 3 is a beautiful example of how, from beginning to end, the Word of God weaves together to form one beautiful picture: The GOSPEL.
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The Israelites got themselves trapped in a dangerous cycle. They would obey God for a period of time, then turn from Him when they got bored, and God would punish them by delivering them into the hands of their enemy. After a period of time, when they got tired of being oppressed, they would cry out to the Lord who would deliver them, only to have the sad cycle repeat itself.
Judges 3 is right near the beginning of these cycles. The nation of Israel is handed over to the Moabites and their king, Eglon, because of their disobedience towards God. This particular time, it takes them 18 years to cry out to God for deliverance. And, just as is promised in Jeremiah 29, the Lord responds, and he responds by raising up a left handed man named Ehud. (Judges 3:12-26)
I want you to read the story for yourself, gory details and all. This man is sneaky, gets himself alone with the king, and sticks a sword in his gut. Then escapes unnoticed. A ninja. In the Bible. Used to accomplish God's plan of delivering the Israelites. Way before Rush Hour 1, 2, and 3, our God had the ninja thing DOWN.
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I read accounts like this from Scripture, and my immediate reaction is "why?" Why include this in the Word? Why include so many details, when the next guy after Ehud literally gets one verse about his life? Why is this important? And this is when things get AWESOME.
How did God, up through the Old Testament, deliver His people? Through blood. Animal sacrifices forgave them of sins, drowning Pharaoh's army was the final escape from Egypt, and the kings and oppresors who they would be delivered from throughout their hopeless cycle were killed, just as Eglon was killed by Ehud.
They were used to their oppressors being killed, or conquered. They were used to someone coming from God to deliver them through attacking their enemy. That's what they were waiting for when Jesus came: Someone to defeat their persecutors.
Jesus didn't fit the bill of what they were used to, how they were used to God performing. Jesus didn't fit the bill of a Samson, or an Ehud, or even a Gideon. Jesus wasn't what they thought they wanted. Even when he was killed on the Cross, they didn't recognize the blood sacrifice. Hebrews 10:10 tells us once and for all God has delivered us. No more blood sacrifices, no more burnt offerings. Jesus was enough.
Paul knew that to both Jews and Greeks, Jesus didn't add up. For the Jews, it wasn't the "sign" they were used to having or even wanted to see. For the Greeks, they just couldn't figure out the logic to what Jesus did. But Paul said these words: We preach CHRIST CRUCIFIED.
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Are you still waiting to figure out how to be rescued from trouble? What about fear? Or doubt? All these things, Jesus has delivered us from. If you're still waiting for the answer, waiting for a better sign, you're not going to get it. If you're waiting for someone to tell you that the answer isn't Christ crucified, you're going to end up disappointed.
Don't miss what Jesus has done for you. Don't keep looking. Jesus is ENOUGH.
