Colorless Commentary (Mark 5:25-29; Luke 1:2-3; John 21:25; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5,14; Revelations 1:14-16)

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

Most descriptive writing, in novels or short stories, by those that are skilled at drawing the reader into a narrative, contains detail and commentary, to the point of being verbose; painting a visual picture that graphically captures the attention of the audience. Famous novelist have the ability to systematically project the imagery they are trying to portray, into the mind of the reader, so that previous memories are triggered; sights and smells are brought forward; and with each page turned, the realism of the story engulfs the participant, on a new, yet familiar adventure.

LACKING DESCRIPTION

Despite the inherent power and authority of the Word of God, the scriptures are severely lacking in basic descriptive words. There is very little attempt to bring color to the commentary in any of the four gospels, whether something was green; blue; purple, or multicolored. Limited words are said about what an individual looked like or even their general appearance.

MARK 5:25-29

"...a certain woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched His garment. For she said, 'If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole', and straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague".

SILENT

Though this is extremely dramatic, many descriptions are left silent:

- what kind of issue of blood?

- what were the things she suffered by the doctors of the day?

- how did it affect her normal routine?

- had she been wealthy, and was now impoverished?

- where did she live, and in what kind of house or lodging?

- what color was Jesus garment?

- what strain and effort did it take to push through the crowd?

FAILED MISERABLY

To this same point, the Gospel of Mark, tradition says, was dictated to him by Peter. Matthew and John were one of the apostles and Luke "...had perfect understanding of all things from the very first..." (Lk.1:3) and possibly one of the disciples, though not an apostle, "...who from the beginning were eyewitnesses..." (Lk.1:2). John makes the comment that "...there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" (Jn.21:25). Despite these first hand accounts from intimate acquaintances, none of the Gospels offers any detail of what Jesus looked like; how tall He was; what mannerisms or characteristic habits, identified Him; or any physical characteristics. In fact, if the intent was to give a physical description of Jesus, in a court of law, in an attempt to identify Him, every Gospel writer failed miserably.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The scripture did not come into existence by mere men, "for the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet.1:21).

OUR SENSES

The truth is, the announcement of the good news, is lacking in physical description and detail, because it is not designed to appeal to our senses, because, "...the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14). In addition, the Gospels lack detailed descriptions of individuals, so that everyone can identify with God the Father reaching out to all humanity, for there is no respect of persons with Him (Acts 10:34; Rm.2:11; Eph.6:9; Col.3:25) and what He has done for one, He has made provision to do the same for all.

TRUTH & FACTS

The scriptures are a declaration of the truth and facts, without any hyperbole, to develop and strengthen our faith in the spiritual reality of God our Savior, and the Lord Jesus Christ. The only visual imagery we have of Jesus, is not His physical, earthly persona, but the resurrected Christ, "...whose head and hair are white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes are like a flame of fire; and His feet like fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice like the sound of many waters...and His countenance is as the sun shining in its strength" (Rev.1:14-16).

1 CORINTHIANS 2:4-5

The scriptures "...are not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God".

You Are God's Best and God's Best is Yours