Scarlet Robe Creations

James Tissot - He Sent Them Out Two by Two The fire crackles, a lyric of dry wood.  I pick up the fish, a remnant of the day's catch, while studying my calloused fingers.  Silas sits across from me.  His eyes reflect the flames against the dark sky.  Our acquaintanceship has been short, but we've been paired up.  One group of two, to be sent out. "Why do you think we were placed together?" I ask, licking a stray piece of white meat from my fingers. "Haven't thought about it," Silas replies. Tomorrow we will begin.  Tonight we eat.  Tomorrow we will take nothing.  We will travel hungry and thirsty.  We will eat only what is offered by those who are not wealthy.  We will lay hands on the sick, and speak to them about a kingdom that is to come, a kingdom we know little about. "We barely know each other," I decide to add. "You seek too many answers.  Why does there need to be any rhyme or reason to what the master says.  Think of w...

The Calling of Saint Matthew - James Tissot I had returned from a laboring journey.  Activity in the small fishing village, I called home, was full of excitement.  I asked a neighbor about the manifestations during my absence.  He seemed surprised by my query. "Have you not heard?" He began. "A teacher has come among us.  No one is sure from where he came.  It is said that he performed a miracle, maybe more.  He was down by the shore the other day.  He spoke with Simon and Andrew, and the two sons of Zebedee.  Seems he seeks men who make their trade in the sea, but then, just this morning, he was talking to that vile tax collector." "Levi?" I asked, knowing my neighbor could mean no one else.  Then, I followed my first question with another, "And does that explain the zeal of the townsfolk?" "Levi is having a gathering tonight, at his house.  All are invited, but you know the pious will stay clear." "Perhaps not," I countered....

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'Behold..." Luke 13:31-32 Christ with the Pharisees - Ernst Zimmerman Go to the fox, the king who is false, and say, "He has chased out demons, sent them to the swine, and caused them to fall into the sea. He has healed the sores of those you would not lay a hand for blessing on. He has placed His finger on the ear of he who was deaf, and rubbed mud and spit on the eyes of the blind." How can one doubt who has heard these things. Has he not looked into the eyes of those who speak, telling of good things that have been done, good things by He who was promised, good things by He whose heel will be wounded. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Do you see, a cloud rising, warning of a storm? Do you feel the wind, it's warm southerly air, touching your scalp, telling you that the temperature of the coming day will be warm? How is it that you know these things, but cannot grasp what is to come? How is it that you do not understand the signs of the times, the signs of war, signs of hunger, signs of disease? How is it, you can learn so much about this world around you, and still know so little? copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The Exhortation to the Apostles - James Tissot Power came forth and healed them all. They'd gathered on a stretch of level ground. Disciples, and the sick in their midst. He had much to say, a teacher, a prophet, or perhaps something more. It is possible, he might be written about, in the psalms and the prophets. Might he be the one who crushes the serpent's head beneath his foot. For now they will listen. Some will be healed of their afflictions. Others will question miracles and consider his bearing. For now he is but a man of words, tomorrow he will become a threat. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Christ in the Wilderness - painting by Moretto da Brescia I will give you all your heart desires. The tempter waits. He is vigilant in his observance. He waits for you in your wilderness, seeking the moment when you lose sight of the Lamb. He will mock you by offering the objects you yearn for, or the emotions you crave. The tempter waits. He is patient in his action. Soon you will hunger, soon you will thirst, soon you will question faith. The Lamb has gone before you. He has ventured out, as example, knowing the angels will protect Him, lest He dash his foot against a stone. In His weakness the Lamb protects His own. In His weakness there is more strength than earthly kingdoms of gold, or elaborate wealth. I will give you all your heart desires. The tempter waits, for the wilderness to empty you, into its vastness. Without the weakness of the Lamb, to save, you would surely be lost. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Hypocrites, do you know you are the rotted tree. You cling fast to a tradition, what clothes to wear, which prayers to speak, but inside, deep in the core of your being, there is nothing but rot. Hypocrites, no tainted tree can produce good fruit. It spawns only what it is. If the tree's nature is vile the efforts of any gardener will offer up nothing but decay. Do not seek grapes among the thorns. Seek them instead, in the vineyard of the Lord. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

The sea lapped against the side of their boats.  The night had been unproductive for both vessels.  Men with muscular builds and hair covered limbs hauled their nets from the water.  Even empty, lifting the nets from the sea was a chore for tired arms. "The catch is barely enough to feed my family." The speaker of the complaint was solidly built.  His clothing had soaked up sea water and sweat.  His day was ending with mounting frustration. "Things will get better, Simon." For a brief moment Simon believed his brother's passive response to their looming starvation, or more urgently their inability to pay the tax, had some basis in reality. "Once again, Andrew, do I have to listen to your view of our lives, wasted on fish and the call of the sea?" "It would be possible... to be something different." "We have been fishermen all our lives.  You and I know no other trade.  I cannot, overnight, become a carpenter.  Neither can you.  I am not ...

They had been sitting in the fields for most of the night.  Their sheep were gathered into the sheepfold, protected from harm.  Isaac sat at the gate watching the stars overhead.  He understood little about the movement of heavenly bodies.  He knew only that in darkness the moon rose, and day was blessed by the light of the sun.  Still, he noted the twinkling of lights, and the recent arrival of a brighter light, he'd only recently begun to see. "Day dreamin', Isaac?" Caleb asked.  He was older than Isaac, both in age, and in years as a shepherd.  The life Isaac had found himself in had gripped Caleb by fate.  His father, and his father's father had performed the same task. "Just watchin' the sky," Isaac responded. "Star gazin'.  That's what it's called." Not insulted in anyway by Caleb's harsh reply, Isaac said, "Do you ever take note of the changes in the heavens.  When it is warm there are certain lights in the sky. ...

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8 Jesus Discourses with His Disciples - James Tissot - 1890 It seems less today, a question once asked, when He spoke of judges and ended His parable, pondering faith. Pay attention. The Father hears those who cry out day and night, security is gained. Their prayers are heard and their rights are upheld. He sees to it that justice is done. Faith seems to diminish in His eyes. A closing thought when looking over those closest in faith. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Mary, called Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Chuza, and Susanna. It wasn't just men who followed on the dusty roads. It's often we think of the twelve, we know them by name, and forget who gathered with His mother at the foot of the cross. It's often we think of the twelve, their denials and betrayals, and forget who witnessed the empty tomb and the angel. It is often we think of Peter and John running to the tomb, discovering it empty, and doubting what Mary had said. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

…and looking up to heaven He gave thanks... Luke 9:16 Sufficient, and yet more is asked. The blessings for this day are many. He deserves thanks. We bow our heads and ask. Without thanking first, for what has been received. Thank Him for the crumbs of bread, on your plate, before requesting an entire loaf. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

When daybreak came, He called His disciples to Him, and chose twelve of them,  who He also designated as apostles. Luke 6:13 Vocation of the Apostles - Domenico Ghirlandaio 1481-82 You are the envoys of the word. Selected to walk in the same footsteps as He who brings the light. He commissions, ordains, He instructs you to heal the sick and drive out demons. Soon, He will send you out, as twelve, with a message to preach. His word, not yours, will be spoken from your lips and radiate from your hearts. How will it be, that one will stand at a fire to keep warm and deny knowing a man on trial. How will it be, that another takes a monetary reward to betray blood. We are envoys. Messengers of the truth. We are the chosen, given to faults, given to weaknesses, which lead us down roads where we bring bread, a purse, and an extra tunic. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Feast in the house of Simon the Pharisee by Rubens, c. 1618 Why am I asked the question.  A parable about debts.  Certainly, the man who owes a greater amount will be all that much more grateful to have a loan forgiven.  But the spectacle at the table, kneeling on the floor, crying, how does this relate to transactions of coin? You have judged correctly. Was this a test of some sort.  Do I need to be tested.  The woman, God knows what she is.  Is that the debt he refers to.  He is a prophet.  Does he not know that this is a woman who sells her flesh.  She defiles the temple of her body.  Yet he looks at her with deep compassion and looks at me like I am a student who requires to be taught a simple lesson. Simon, do you see this woman?  You have judged her to be unclean. You have walked on a separate side of the street, so that you would not pass her and fall unto the same judgement. Simon, when I came to your house my feet were dust...

Christ and the Pharisees - Alexander Bida The youth sits among the elders, quietly listening to the wisdom they share. They do not know Him. In twenty years some will. Some will listen to His words, they will see His works. Others will be deaf and blind. Does He interrupt them? For He has nothing to learn from them, and they have everything to learn from Him. But He listens. He knows these men with an intimacy we can never understand. Maybe a few of them will sit in judgement in twenty-one years. Maybe one will seek to wipe His brow. Soon the youth will no longer listen to men who wallow in their self-righteousness. He will confront their ideals out of love for the weak. But for now He listens knowing the Spirit of the Lord is upon Him. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

James Tissot - Jesus Speaks Near the Treasury Therefore He told you. It was in His instructions. Do not focus on tomorrow's trouble, today is what matters. But we are human and therefore prone to thoughts of tomorrow, and therefore immune to the verse. Consider, He says, and selects a raven in overhead flight. They do not harvest nor store food. They are fed, just as the flowers are clothed with more radiant beauty than King Solomon had ever worn. Therefore He tells you. Do not fret over what you cannot change. Tomorrow will come in its own time and God will stand beside you. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author