A “Pictorial Dictionary” or “Visual Dictionary” gives visual representations for each of the entries on its pages. If you were selecting a Bible character to depict each of the following words, who would you choose to put in your “Visual Dictionary”?
MEDIATOR. Obviously Jesus is the ideal image of so many qualities, including this one, however, it is not difficult to choose another. Israel had committed an amazingly vile act, by fashioning and worshiping a golden calf. When Moses approached the Lord to seek their forgiveness, he pleaded, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written” (Ex. 32:31-32). He was ready to stand in their place on their behalf. What a mediator!
NEGOTIATOR. This is not exactly a Bible word, but it is, in effect, what Abraham did in Genesis 18. With a heart longing to see the city of Sodom spared destruction, Abraham asked the Lord, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (18:23). He asked the Lord if He would spare it if there were “fifty…forty-five…forty…thirty…twenty…ten righteous” (18:24-33). Not even ten righteous souls were found!
OPEN-MINDED. In Acts 18, we read about a man who was “born at Alexandria” (probably well-educated), “an eloquent man” (skilled as a speaker), “and mighty in the Scriptures” (18:24). He “had been instructed in the way of the Lord,” and “he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord,” except in one area (18:25). A man like Apollos would be considered by some to be “unreachable,” thinking he would never listen. Such was not the case. “Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (18:26), and with an open mind, he accepted eagerly the truth of God.
PRACTICAL. This might be tricky to define, but who in the Bible seemed to just naturally do those things that appeared to be proper and practical at the time? Martha’s picture might be placed next to this entry. In Luke 10, Jesus came to Martha’s house, and she busily served Him (10:38-42). At another supper, we find that “Martha served” (John 12:2). When Jesus commanded the stone be removed from Lazarus’ tomb, Martha was concerned about “a stench” (John 11:39). We need practical people, as long as they use it properly and effectively for the Lord.
Now, make the application. Could your picture be used for mediator, negotiator, open-minded and practical?