When I see the same scripture/comment/idea more than once in a short period of time, it always causes me to think hard about it. That happened over the past 2 days.
I get a daily email from a publication called “The Babylon Bee”. Their byline is “Fake News You Can Trust”. They write about current political and Christian stories with tongue in cheek. Much of it is absolutely hilarious, some of it not so much and sometimes it teeters on the edge of something I can’t laugh at. But yesterday the headline of one of their stories was: Scholars Now Believe Jesus Executed Sick Scroll Drop After Rolling Up Book Of Isaiah.
For anyone that is not privy to some of the slang that’s used out there these days – according to Fluentslang.com, the definition of “sick” is: “slang for ‘cool,’ ‘rad,’ or ‘awesome.’ It is commonly used to describe something that is impressive or exciting.” And, they’re using the term “scroll drop” as a humorous likeness to another slang phrase – “mic drop”. According to merriam-webster.com, “The meaning of MIC DROP is the act of dramatically dropping a microphone after a performance, speech, etc. (as to indicate that what one has said or done cannot be disputed or surpassed).” Remember those 2 definitions please.
In the Babylon Bee story they referenced Luke 4 & 5 and continued with this: “‘And once he had rolled up the scroll, he performed a sick scroll drop and began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,'” Okay, I’ll stop with the references to this satirical story for now. You may be asking – what does this have to do with anything serious Karran? I’m glad you asked.
This morning my daily devotional’s scripture reference was Luke 4:14-21. Hmmm, this is part of the story that was referenced in the Babylon Bee satire. So my brain goes into overdrive thinking about this. Luke 4:16-21 pretty specifically deals with that portion of the satirical story. I then read the passage in many translations & I really like the Amplified version. I want to share it with you.
“So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].’ Then He rolled up the scroll [having stopped in the middle of the verse], gave it back to the attendant and sat down [to teach]; and the eyes of all those in the synagogue were [attentively] fixed on Him. He began speaking to them: ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.’”
Now think back to that definition of “sick” – it fits very well, doesn’t it? What Jesus said was definitely cool, rad, awesome and described something that’s impressive or exciting. Then when I thought about the idea of a “mic (scroll) drop”, I laughed out loud. Seriously – an indication “that what one has said or done cannot be disputed or surpassed.” How appropriate!
I know that Jesus was sinless, so He definitely would not have exhibited pride (we know what the Bible says about pride – and it’s not pretty) and that’s pretty much what a “mic (scroll) drop” would’ve been. But if ever there was a time that it could’ve been appropriate – this would definitely have been one.
You may have noticed that in the passage I quoted above that I highlighted the phrase “having stopped in the middle of the verse”. Of all the versions I looked at, only the Amplified version had it and that got my attention because in my devotional – the author Chris Tiegreen said this: “Jesus faithfully read this section of the Isaiah scroll and then abruptly stopped – right after the year of God’s favor and before the day of vengeance…What did He mean by this strategic editing? Judgment would come later; now was a time for blessing. History was entering a new season.”
How cool, rad and awesome is our God? He wants to pour out His favor on us – so badly! But, we each individually have to make the sincere, honest decision to accept Him into our lives to receive that “release (pardon, forgiveness)” He spoke of. However, people need to recognize that a day of vengeance is coming for those that refuse Him and the opportunity will be gone forever. Our days on earth are numbered and it’s rare when someone has any idea that their time here is up. It doesn’t pay to postpone the decision to accept Jesus into your life thinking you’ve got plenty of time to think about that later. Where you’ll spend your eternity depends on that decision.
Maybe you’re not sure that you understand or believe in the concept of heaven and hell. But do you really want to leave it to chance? Consider this saying that I love & have quoted before: “I would rather live my life as if there is a god and die to find out there isn’t, than live my life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is.” Albert Camus
If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Savior, ensuring that your eternity is cemented in heaven, it’s time to make that commitment – and, it’s simple. Just pray this prayer:
“Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I need and want Your forgiveness. I accept Your death as the penalty for my sin, and recognize that Your mercy and grace is a gift You offer to me because of Your great love, not based on anything I have done. Cleanse me and make me Your child. By faith I receive You into my heart as the Son of God and as Savior and Lord of my life. From now on, help me live for You, with You in control. In Your precious name, Amen”*
My prayer for you today is that you won’t take any chances with your future – short term or long term. Do what you must do for that eternal insurance. (Maybe the angels in heaven will even rejoice with a “sick scroll drop”.)
Written by Karran Martin – July 27, 2024
[All bold emphasis is mine]
*Author unknown
Karran's Korner 