Jesus Arrested -OR- The Cruse Of Prosperity

JESUS "ARRESTED" -OR- THE CRUSE OF PROSPERITY

"When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to them that followed, 'Verily I say unto you, (Jesus only said that "AS LORD and Master!"), I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel!" [Mt 8:10]. {Jesus MARVELS!}

He was speaking of the Roman centurion who humbly acknowledged his own unworthiness, and then honestly outlines his knowledge of the nature of obedience as being one "under authority" himself. In so doing, He attributes Divine Authority to this Jewish Messiah Whom he admits no rightful claim upon, but submits his request for God's Gift of Grace in healing his servant,.... nevertheless!

At this point, Jesus is fairly arrested - stopped "dead in His tracks" by the humble faith of this gentle Gentile!

--- (Now to switch the scene) ---

"And he (Elisha) said, "bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein." [2Kg 2:20]

Now "Salt" is Humility [Christ's Nature], even as "Light" is the Revelation [God's Truth & Hope].

I capitalize those words because they are Divine Attributes, or, Fruit of the Holy Spirit (even if/as seen in man).

You know the story... Elisha throws the salt into the evil water and it becomes (and remains) sweet!

But that word "cruse"... this is the only usage of this particular Hebrew word (#6746) which means "salt cellar". But the word comes from the prime root (#6743) which means; "to push forward, break out, come (forth) mightily, go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper (-ity, -ous, ously).

In other words then, the "fount" (cruse) of Prosperity (capitalized = from God) is Humility (salt) in man! [Man MUST be "Salted" by God to Receive God's "Light"-Hope]

So we see that God can and will Prosper a man (even a Gentile man who approaches and requests from a Jewish Messiah not [yet] come for Gentiles! Why? Because of such an humble faith as makes God Himself [Christ] Marvel!

Only two things so "arrest" Jesus; this man's "salt/light", and His own hometown folk's unbelief! [see Mk 6:6] {Tho it COULD be said He SEEMED to Marvel at Nathanael in Jn 1:47}

One must have put a twinkle in His eye, even as the other must have crushed Him! Inside, I mean. Down deep, where it counts! [Our unbelief CRUCIFIES our Lord!]

Jesus said to another Gentile (the Samaritan woman at the well) that the water He would give would quench her thirst forever!

And He said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, 'out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water'". (But this spake He of the Spirit, Which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) [Jn 7:37-39]

Even as it took Christ's Humiliation (Salt Cellar/Cruse) to "sweeten" the "waters" of Life-Abundant, and thus put and end to the "evil" waters which had poisoned the "land" - so now it is for us also to Follow even where He Led. ["Water" is continuously used as a Scriptural symbol for life]

But this is Work for the Holy Spirit. Only a miracle could humble my deceitful heart! The Centurion was right. Being "under Authority" (Jesus said "salted with fire") proves Whose we are!

And if our Father-God Chastens us,... well, we're His! The only prosperity any child of God needs or wants is belonging in Humble Faith to Him Who Is, after all, The Gracious Gift of God!