Posted on 09/29/2011 5:46:10 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
If one makes a statement by the type of entrance one makes, then God made quite a statement with Jesus.
Jesus was born, says the Bible, with a virginal conception—decidedly not in accord with the normal order of things. Then there was a host of angels who announced the birth to some startled shepherds with what will turn out to be ironic words: "Peace on earth!" For the first memorable political act after the birth of Immanuel—"God with us"—is the mass murder of infants preceded by the exile of the holy family. The first sign of God's coming leads to disruption and confusion.
Even in his childhood, Jesus signaled that he was about something startling. He was only 12 when he disobeyed his parents, staying behind in Jerusalem to teach in the temple after they had started home. He flouted one of the Ten Commandments—"Honor your father and your mother"—apparently believing that the fifth commandment was not made for man, but man for the fifth commandment. His parents are naturally hurt at his disrespect: "Son, why have you treated us so?" But Jesus just rebukes them for not recognizing his mission (Luke 2:41–49). Jesus was not a good, well-behaved little boy.
Things get really interesting when Jesus begins his ministry some 18 years later. His opening sermon—the one in which he announces his mission of liberation—sets the tone. He's in Nazareth, his home town. He has an opportunity to win the favor of family and friends, so they can send him off on his ministry with good will.
Instead, he picks the occasion to shame them for their parochialism. He notes that God is just as interested in freely sharing his mercy with Gentiles as he is with his chosen people.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
“I know at this point, there won;t be heaven for me”
How can anyone know that?
Gee, I hate to break this to you, but you aren't going to be having any fun doing anything in Hell. There will be no enjoyment nor anyone being able to punish someone else. Another mistake some make is in thinking Satan will be the "boss" in Hell and that they need to get on "his" side while on earth so that they will be with the "in" group in Hell forever. Doesn't work that way. Satan will be the one tormented the most. Nobody will be having fun. Believe me.
But since we're on the subject. Why do you say there will "be no heaven for me"? Is it because you think only good people go to heaven? Is it because you don't think you are or can be good enough to go there? I'm just curious and not trying to "preach" to you. So tell me, why "at this point" is there no heaven for you?
I'd believe you if I believed you have first hand knowledge, believer!
Hell is other people.
Perhaps this planet is another planet’s hell.
Two well worn quotes from dead famous people.
In any case, hell can’t be worse than this here now.
>Nobody will be having fun. Believe me.<
I will because I hate liberals and I see Obama heading towards heaven (which should never happen but if it does), I will drag him down to where I will be.
hehe.....Thanks for the mammaries!
"First hand knowledge"? What would qualify as "first hand" to you? Will you only believe if Jesus Christ appeared to you right now? Will you only believe if someone you know came back from the dead and told you? Have you thought it through about how much evidence is enough so that you have no other choice BUT to believe? Eternity is a serious issue and as long as you are on this side of it, you can influence what happens to you on the other side. Once over there, it's a done deal. It's no a joking matter.
I don't know anything about you, the real person behind the screentag, but I do know that Our God is merciful.
There is no point at which He gives up on us until our dying breath.
I agree. Jesus did not rebuke them, He just pointed out facts to them.
Also, a big fuss is made over the wedding at Cana where Jesus says to Mary. Now the problem is that in English we've removed the nuances that still exist in other languages
For instance John 2:4 in Polish is "Czy to moja lub Twoja sprawa, Niewiasto?" --> note "Niewiasto" while the normal word for woman is "kobieta" and in German the word used is "Weib" while the normal word for woman is Frau.
He uses a more elegant form -- a better translation would be "Lady" in the elegant sense.
Christ kept the law to the letter.
He was only 12 when He disobeyed his parents, staying behind in Jerusalem to teach in the temple after they had started home.
He didn't disobey His parents by staying behind. They thought He was with relatives, in the caravan. The fact that they frantically headed back to Jerusalem when they discovered that He was not with them, and then searched for Him for three days, shows that they had no clue where He was. He probably was totally surprised that they were so worried about Him, and that they didn't know what He was doing. He was a 12 year old boy, wanting to be independent and to get on with His work, and yet still devoted to His parents.
It’s not a trivial matter. The guy literally and blatantly accused Jesus of breaking the law - sinning. It’s as bad as disputing the Virgin Birth.
I agree. He did not flout the law, He demonstrated what it truly meant.
So now we are teaching the Jesus sinned against His parents?
No doubt the magazine is quite faithful to its title ... "Christianity Today"
I liked this paragraph:
“We’re tempted to speculate which circumstances are merely evil, that God simply responds to, and which are a holy rattling. But that information is not usually granted us. What news has been given is good: God is working in, with, and under the chaos to shape us into the image of Christ.”
*** He encouraged his disciples to break the Sabbath. ***
WRONG! He stripped off the human invented encrustations that were ruining the true intent of God’s institution.
**** He questioned customs of fasting ****
WRONG! He merely said it was not appropriate to fast while Emanuel was on Earth. He said his apostles would take it up again when he left.
**** He questioned customs of almsgiving, and prayer.****
That is just bizarre? What?!?!
Refuse to accept Jesus as your Savior. You’ll know.
IF you go to Hell, then this world will have been your time in heaven.
IF you go to Heaven, then this world will be the only hell you will know.
I don’t think the author means “he’s not nice” in the way you think he does.
I was raised in Christianity, and I fell for Jesus as the image of a saintly hippie. Saintly hippies don’t know anything, aren’t relevant and are more than a little annoying.
When I went back and re-read the Gospels as an adult, I saw much of what this author is saying. Jesus is not a wimp, nor a doormat. He also is extremely wise and doesn’t put with any crap from naysayers.
I had this failed assumption that Jesus was like a well-meaning politician. A nice guy with great ideas, but He would never measure up to the forces rallied against those ideas—He just wasn’t tough enough. I know I couldn’t have been alone in those thoughts, there have to be others, and this article is trying to smack ‘em upside their heads.
He uses a more elegant form -- a better translation would be "Lady" in the elegant sense.
My guess would be that the Polish translation is wrong...There are about 230 English translations of the text and they all say 'woman'...Not Lady...
Words still have meanings. Jesus is the Man that God wants us all to be. The image Christianity has portrayed is a crying shame. He most likely had short hair. Darker than Caucasians but not black. He was very gentle but unwavering strong in the presence of sin and denounced it. He used the logic in parables over patronization or flattery. It is only through reading and re-reading (with prayer) that one can sense the depth of His character. He never said too much but what He said was enough.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.