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pastorbrian  I'm finding I don't like the Jesus in John as much, or very much at all. He seems like he's picking a fight. It doesn't sound like the loving grace filled Jesus that you read more about in the other gospels. I guess in the other gospels Jesus has his contentious times with the leaders, but he doesn't seem quite as belligerent maybe. Another thing is Jesus doesn't seem as human so far. He talks so much about being from above and how he's different than everyone else I think that turns me off a little bit. I completely understand that he is different, but he's also completely human and it seems that fact is lost a little bit in this gospel, at least so far. This Jesus doesn't seem as approachable, doesn't seem as compassionate so far. It's almost like he wants the leaders to hate him instead of trying to love them. I don't know...I keep thinking that it's written for a certain community and from a certain theological perspective, but it's hard...I'll keep pluggin away. A couple of familiar miracle stories here in chapter 6...feeding the 5000, walking on water, and then a long discourse on Jesus being the bread from heaven. Sounds like it was very confusing to the disciples and to all who heard it. Why does Jesus make it so confusing? Couldn't he have explained a little bit better or did he have to be careful in front of the Jewish authorities and maybe in private, as he did in other Gospels, explained a little more to his disciples. One verse in particular caught my attention, that was verse 37 which states that all who come to Jesus will be accepted. Don't hear that preached too much do you. There are no disclaimers about how you're supposed to be or act, just that if you come to Jesus and believe in him you'll be accepted by him. No that's a gospel that I can dive into, why isn't it heard more? Why do we want to place conditions and decided who's in and who's out instead of leaving that up to God? Why are we so quick to judge and reject that which might be different? I guess we don't like change...If there is one thing I would want someone to remember about my ministry is that I tried to be accepting and equal to all. I understand its not possible to do that perfectly, but I truly hope that I preach a gospel that is accepting to all. I guess that's what jumped out at me from this chapter. It seems in this chapter it is easy to see that the author of the Gospel, and possibly Jesus himself, is trying to make the argument that Jesus is doing God's work and therefore has authority. I also realize that Jesus' manner of speaking in this gospel seems much different than the other gospels. Did the other gospels just not record these lengthy speeches? Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you" a lot in John and off the top of my head I can't remember him saying that in the Synoptics. What does that mean for the innerancy of the gospels? Doesn't bother me because I believe the Bible was written by humans who were inspired by God, but not reciting what God told them exactly. How else do you reconcile the differences? The Gospel of John certainly gives us a different view of Jesus. More theological and apologetic...I can't seem to relate to this Jesus as well. He doesn't seem as human so far I would say. More on that later I hope... I've heard that story about Jesus and the Samaritan woman before, and it always strikes me. Jesus is breaking a lot of "rules" in this story. He is a man speaking to a woman, a Jew speaking to a Samaritan, and a Jewish leader speaking to a Samaritan woman. What would people say? Doesn't Jesus know that's not how things are done? I love the example Jesus gives us that his love and grace is for all. Doesn't matter who they are. And Jesus doesn't judge this woman, he asks her a pointed question, but he doesn't condemn her for having questions or not believing. Jesus basically presents his case, tells her what he is about, and lets her decide. He doesn't berate her with stories of hell and judgment if she doesn't decide to follow him, and I imagine he wouldn't have written her off if she would have still had some questions. Why can't we approach others like that? We are so quick to judge and put up walls even before we give them a chance. If they believe differently than us then we think a conversation can't truly take place until they see things our way. I believe that "conversion" is something that is up to God. We are to live our lives as good Christian examples, as best we can, and then plant seeds with others. God is control of the harvest. Judging and having who's in and who's out discussions doesn't help at all. Why can't we look at it from the perspective that all are in, or at the very least who's in and who's out is up to God and not us? Out responsibility is to give grace, love and forgiveness and let judging be up to God. That's what I like about his chapter...Jesus reaches out to a complete outsider. Holy cow! Reading through John is like reading through a theology text book. He seems to make the same points over and over again. I had to smile a couple of times when reading thinking to myself how this must have sounded to the people as Jesus said this...I guess if this is what Jesus literally said. Nicodemus isn't portrayed in a good light at all as a Jewish leader. I believe this is done in part because when this Gospel was written it is believed that this Jewish sect, Christianity, is at odds with at least some of the Jewish people. Nicodemus isn't found in any other gospels. Seems to go to great lenghts to establish that Jesus is the Son of God and that salvation is only found through him. If I remember correctly this is emphasized more in John so far than the other Gospels. Honestly not much jumped out at me in Chapter 3. Just that the responses seem like sermons and/or apologetics not necessarily conversations two people would have on the road. One thing did jump out at me...the fact that in verse 17 it states that God didn't send Jesus to condemn/judge the world. Yet that is exactly what happens when someone doesn't believe the same as we do. We automatically judge and/or condemn them. It seems to me that Jesus was sent to provide the light, but if people choose not to follow were not to condemn them and right them off. We are called to love them just the same and hopefully they might see the light. Condemn and judging people for not have the "correct" belief doesn't seem to be what Jesus was about so far. He provided a way and we are to follow and love all...not judge and condemn which leads to right and wrong and wars and you get the picture... Jesus didn't seem very nice to his mom by calling her mother and that seemingly negative response when she told him they were out of wine. But, in my study notes it says that response is not necessarily a disrespectful one. Wondering a couple of things as I read the 2nd chapter...Why is the water to wine miracle only in John? Why is the cleansing of the temple in the beginning of Jesus' ministry in John and at the end of his ministry in the other gospels? I also have noticed, so far at least, that the disciples are pictured in a better light in John than in Mark especially. They seem to believe from the very beginning, or at least after they see the signs (miracles) that Jesus does. Do they see and then believe, or do they believe in order to see? How does that work with me? Sometimes I'd like some signs from Jesus. I think that would make my work a little easier. Wouldn't it make faith a lot easier and more concrete if I witnessed some miracle or sign? Maybe I do see signs all the time, but I just don't recognize them because I'm not attuned to what's going on. All though if we were all given concrete signs and miracles there wouldn't be much need for faith would there? Also, we'd probably attribute them to something else and want something more or different anyway. I don't believe I need signs to believe. I'm not saying they wouldn't be nice, but I know that my faith is built on personal experiences and what I know in my heart. I've experienced the power of the Spirit myself and know that Jesus is real and that God is present. There are times when I doubt or wish I could feel God more often, but some of that is on me because I fail to take the time to listen for God and slow myself down. Coincidence?: Since starting Bible study I feel more confident and my relationship with Tracy is better...I don't believe in coincidences...maybe it's all in my head, and maybe that's exactly what I need. Look forward to bouncing some questions off of Tony. Felt good, refreshing, uplifting, energizing, (CPE instructor told me good isn't a feeling it's an adjective) to do some personal Bible study today. Tough night last night with the budget meeting so there was no better time for it. Two things stuck me this morning. One is John's reference to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away sins. Lambs weren't used for sacrifice, so what does he mean? Is. 53:7 mentions lambs as basically willing creatures, like a "lamb to slaughter." Jesus was silent, or at least didn't fight his trial and death so in a way he may have been like a lamb there. He followed God's will wihtout too much question, I don't think there is his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and he doesn't cry out on the cross so Jesus is portrayed as following God's will very willingly here. The second thing that stuck out was his call of the first few disciples. They basically take John the Baptist's words at face value and follow Jesus, and all Jesus says to Philip is "follow me" and they drop everything and follow...according to the Gospel. Such willing submission on both accounts. I suppose Jesus might have known the "inside" story because his divinity is so stressed in John so his following can be explained a little bit better. But, the disciples seem to hear someone say that Jesus is the Messiah they've been waiting for and drop everything and follow him. Did they know by the prompting of the Spirit what to do? Would I be able to drop everything and follow if Jesus called me to? I suppose I did a little bit by excepting the call to Minden here, but it surely wasn't done on a whim as the disciples seem. I wonder if Jesus personally called me would I be able to submit so readily without further proof or explanation or reassurance what was going to happen. The way the disciples are protrayed suggests they just went. Could I be so willing? I hope so...my prayer today will be for openness to God's calling and my ability to recognize it and follow. This was the last day that I did the official "Surprise Me God" experiment. Overall I really enjoyed it and I hope to take some of the insights I learned and continue to apply them to my everyday prayer life. Sunday October 29th I'll be giving a sermon on my experience so be there to hear that. I would encourage anyone who is looking for a way to spice up their prayer life or just interested in trying something new to give the "Surprise Me God" experiment a try. You may not have a "burning bush" moment, but I guarantee that you will connect with the Spirit and you will learn things that will help you for the rest of your life. Yes, I didn't overstate that...you will, if you dedicate yourself and journal and take it seriously, discover new things and feel the Spirit move. All it takes is a simple three word prayer each morning and then an honest reflection on your days activities and you will uncover the work of the Spirit in areas of your life. It was amazing for me and I would recommend it to anyone out there. Maybe I'll keep writing in my journal as a Spiritual exercise. Might be a way to keep myself accountable for my personal prayer life. Stay tuned for more and thanks for taking this journey with me. God Bless!!! It was a busy day in the office yesterday. It always gets a little busy around Cornerstone mailing time. It was nice though because time really flies by. Nothing too exciting to report from yesterday. It was one of those typical Mondays I guess you would say. I've been feeling a little more stressed lately, and I'm not sure why. I've been trying to pin down the source but nothing has come to me. Maybe it's the time of year, budget and salary negotiation and stuff or maybe it's not because I don't think I'm really worried about that. Who knows what the deal is. Maybe it's stress from Tracy...HA I KNOW that's not it. I'll just have to continue to be aware of it and let the Spirit help me deal with whatever pops up. That usually does the trick. If I control what I can then the rest is up to God right? I wish that were as easy to do as it is to say! There is one thing I've been thinking about lately. Not sure if it's tied to the "Surprise Me God" experiment or not, but I really think our church needs to get involved in some sort of mission. Something where we can be involved and where we can see we have made a difference. I get the feeling people are tired of just giving to "meet the budget" and maybe people would be more energized and enthused if they saw a mission that the church was doing. I love the monthly meals and I think they are doing a nice job of providing fellowship and visibility of our church in the community. I think we need to go a step further and figure out what our church can do in this community. I can't think of any ideas right now, but I've only been in the community for about a year. I'm going to need some help and input from long time members and people who have an idea of what the community's needs are. I truly think this could be a great thing for our church, and maybe the 125th anniversary will be a starting point and something our church can rally around. I'll be looking for more surprises from God in this area! |
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