Now this is important to understand. There are people who are listening to the word of God and growing in Christ and seeking the Lord, who will experience hardship and devastation and even death. There is the good with the bad as we would say. Indeed, Jesus is presenting the balance of life to these disciples. It is not all miraculous transformation on the mountain and casting out of demons. That is important but there is another side to the coin. There is a balance here. There are miraculous things the Lord does in your life and in mine, but there is also the crucifixion. The crucifixion of Christ is very much a part of the Christian walk. Everything runs through the cross. Even though Jesus performed these miraculous signs He says, “The cross is still involved,” and they were exceedingly grieved at hearing that.

The Greek concept of νοῦς (nous) has to do with our perceptive abilities (a way of understanding or interpreting something, a mental impression).  Humanly speaking it is being aware of something by way of the senses – seeing, hearing, feeling, etc.  While spiritually speaking it refers to the believer’s Spiritual perception, which is necessary for discerning the will of God.  The Bible teaches that man, in his natural human state, does not have the ability to perceive and understand the things of God.  Furthermore, it is only the Lord by His Spirit who is able to open man’s mind in this way; thereby allowing him to see, and to hear, and to know.

New this week: Nous Part One ~ Romans 12:1-2