DISCIPLE

  One would like to be optimistic about the current state of American culture. But one must be realistic. Some of us remember when our culture was quite different. What are signs that there has been a deterioration of law and order, decency and honesty? Before the 1960's illegal drug traffic was very minimal. There was some drug traffic in the big cities but the country as a whole was spared. The Beatles in their songs and life style glorified the use of marijuana. LSD became popular and the hard drugs followed. Today drug use has infiltrated the whole country; even smaller towns and villages have their drug users and dealers. It is a curse in the country, maiming and destroying the lives of many. The law is flaunted by millions who use illegal drugs. Drug use encourages other crime, burglaries and robberies to buy the drug. It is hardly a sign of a society that respects law. Crime has escalated. Rape is more and more common, along with murder and crimes of violence. Domestic viole...

Isaiah is referring rather to the fact that, when He came, Jesus possessed none of those outward characteristics for which Israel was looking. They expected the Messiah to come as a temporal conqueror and prince, appearing in great pomp and grandeur, to deliver them from the Roman yoke and restore their nation to its former splendour and glory. But what did they see?      They saw nothing in Jesus that corresponded to their expectations. They saw no royal robes, no diadems on His brow, no magnificent reninue in attendance, no men of earthly rank and status to support His cause. They saw only a Galilean tradesman, accompanied by a small band of untutored followers and supported by a group of pious women. In their eyes He therefore lacked both "form" (that which is fair and favoured) and "comleliness" (honor, majesty and excellency), for He offered them none of the eternal insignia of royalty which they associated with the coming Messiah.      Consider the r...