Is Jesus a "Hard Man"?

 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered” Matthew  25:24

My computer dictionary defines “talent” in this way: “1. A natural aptitude, 2. a former weight and unit of currency, used esp. by the Romans and Greeks.” In Jesus’ story or parable, he wasn’t referring to #1 definition. He was talking about money. However, that is not relevant to this post.

Did you ever wonder why this third man thought that (1) Jesus was a “hard man”, and (2) wherever did he get the idea that Jesus could or would reap where He had not sown??? The concept of sowing in order to get a harvest is stated or implied throughout the scripture. Did Jesus ever sow any grain? Did He reap any harvest? Did He ever miraculously reap where no grain had been sown, or advise any one to attempt to do so? 

Everyone can see why this man did not get a return on his investment; he never invested the money. Duh! But why didn’t he invest? Through some difficult lessons I believe the Lord showed me the answer to that question.

A “hard man”? In his response to the Lord in the parable (actually Jesus) it is obvious that this man did not know His Lord--Jesus. If he had, he would not have pegged Him as a “hard man”.  He didn’t really know Him.

Reaping where He had not sown? As I mentioned, this is totally antithetical to scripture. So, not only did he not know what Jesus was like, he did not know nor understand God’s ways or the principles of the Kingdom of God. (Note: the Lord's response in v.26 is posed as a question, not a statement, in several translations. He was not agreeing with the man.)

Thus, he was afraid and did not invest his talent in faith.

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” Colossians 1:9-11

Let’s strive to increase in knowing the Lord Jesus better and also in the understanding of the principles of His Kingdom so that we may be fruitful—not just for ourselves, but for Him.

Crop Circles and God's Plan?

     Have you ever spent any time researching about “crop circles”? You know, those strange designs laid out in fields of grain seen in many parts of the world. I have. A few years ago I got on the internet and investigated a number of websites which featured lots of pictures and comments. My conclusion was “Hmmmmm.”

     After looking at numerous pictures of various designs, both from the air and from the ground, I had an “Aha!” moment. I realized that the folks who were viewing these crop circles only from the ground had no idea what the whole thing looked like; they could not view the actual design from their vantage point on the ground. All they could do was wander up and down the labyrinth of pathways that lay in front of them. They figured there was a design, but they could not see it.

     My “Aha!” had to do with the fact that in order to see the design of the crop circle, one had to view it from above, from an airplane or helicopter. This was the only way to get a full view. Isn’t this the same with the Divine Design of God’s purposes and plan? Of course it is. We must view this life not just from the “ground”, a part of the pathway in front of us, but from the grand view through the eyes of God.

    And, how are we able to view His Design and Plan? Well, of course, being born again is the first step since the indwelling Holy Spirit is our “Viewer” with which we see God and His Plan. Then, the Word of God spells it out for us. Gradually, through faith we begin to see the grand Design; we are able to view His Design from “above” , and we learn to fall in step with His Plan. What a different and superior perspective!

“God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”—Ephesians 2:6

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath”--Isaiah 51:6