November 21, 2007 7:16 AM
Sam wrote:
Mark 15. I wonder why Barabbas, the prisoner, was released. Why him? I am sure there were lots of other prisoners from which Pilate could have chosen. (In Matthew, he was known as 'notorious'. In John and Luke, the people ASKED for Barabbas, which Luke also called a murderer.) Why this guy? Was he some sort of hero to the people because he and been a part of a movement against the Romans? That's my guess. Their hero, I believe, was one who fought the enemy (the Romans), and had been brought up on charges of insurrection and murder...which, probably, were trumped up charges by the Romans anyway. So, I believe these people looked to Barabbas, not as a murderer, but as a leader, a hero. Years ago when I first read this, I truly wondered why they would want a murderer back out on the streets with them, but the more I think of it, the more I see him as someone they looked up to. Because the religious leaders of that day had the people so hoodwinked that they were following age old man made traditions, most people couldn't see straight. Here was Jesus, their REAL hero, right in front of them, but they could not see it. They were blinded by religion, so stuck to their ways, and lead by such determined men, that they simply couldn't see that Jesus was the one fighting for them, not Barabbas. Probably a lot of them did believe that Jesus was who he said, yet because of the force of the religious leaders, they simply refuted it and went along with those in charge. Today, churches all over the US and world are similar in makeup to the religion of Jesus' day. Too much tradition, religious leaders who have got it wrong, and people who are swayed by both. The more I read, the more I see that I have to make my own decisions about God, and lean less on the leaders. I don't mean totally ignore them, but take what they say with a grain of salt, and be like a Berean, and study out the Scriptures. You feel the same? Reply to this
November 21, 2007 9:16 AM
Rich wrote:
Mac - yes, I feel the same. My convictions need to be my own - not based on what some religious leader says. But I only feel that way now because I have been reading the bible everyday and writing in the blog everyday. It is much easier to depend on someone else's beliefs and convictions. They do the work and I 'think' I am getting the conviction. But it doesn't work that way. That is the way of the 'crowds' often mentioned in the Bible - those tossed to and fro by the winds.
When I first started in the blog, I thought it was fun and I enjoyed "dropping" in every so often - that is, when I had a quiet time (like I said, every so often). A few weeks ago I finally got the conviction that studying my bible and blogging everyday was more than just a fun thing to do. It was necessary for me to grow. I have always wanted to grow spiritually, but to my shame I have never been consistent in my study. Sure, I have had times when I have read the Bible everyday, but I have never been pushed to "think" everyday like I am now. Writing my thoughts down everyday in a consistent manner has been the best thing I have ever done! Reading what you guys say everyday is an awesome bonus. I feel like I am having up to 4 quiet times per day (when Tony and Rik blog too - a shout out to you guys to be consistent and to do Mac and I a 'service' to share with us what you are thinking and learning!!!).
Guys, this is my way of saying "Thank You" for reaching out to me, for inviting me into your lives through the blog and in time in church, for praying for me during my struggles and for being my source of strength during my times of weakness. I 'owe' more to you guys than you could ever imagine. The Bible teaches that we are supposed to be sharing our faith and reaching out to people. We have all been taught that is church as well. And we have all feel bad about how little we really do share our faith (I know this is true for me and from some past blogs I am pretty sure it is also true for you). But sharing is not just with those who do not claim to know Jesus or who do not go to church. Sharing is among ourselves as well. Think of how many times in these blogs one or more of us has talked about being weak, attacked, struggling with faith, struggling with spouses and/or children, .... Many!!! In times like those I have needed you guys and you have needed me. You have reached out to me and shared your faith with me and in that way you have fulfilled your mission as disciples of Jesus. Thank you so much.
Struggles and weakness due to fatigue, physical ailments and illnesses, stress, life, and on and on are to be expected in our lives. We are fooling ourselves if we think we will ever be immune to these. That is why we need one another. I love you guys - unfortunately not like Jesus loved going to the cross, but my goal is to love like this. Jesus set the standard for love - we get an opportunity to reach towards that standard in our relationships with one another. Reply to this
November 21, 2007 11:03 AM
Sam wrote:
To Rich...ya brought tears (literally) to my eyes. Your gained wisdom and insight over your years as a follower of Christ are pearls for the rest of us. In today's world of distance and worldly inundating issues, it is difficult to meet friends face to face daily and discuss our Lord. I am glad this BLOG and/or our emails have been tools we can use to grow closer together and closer to God. All of you guys have had a great impact on me since we started this blog back in June. And I am truly thankful, as well, to each of you. I have seen Tony go from "it may click someday" to the day it clicked. I have gotten to know Rick's struggles much better and because of that, have been able to see him handling them better--the results?--Jeanette has come out of her coccoon and is growing as a friend of our family. And to see Zack participate with good comments when we are together, is also, I believe, a byproduct of Rick's growth. And lastly, my newest friend, Rich. What a guy! Suffering for years with demons throughout his household, he has seemed to gather all his previous teachings and swelled forward to a point where he is controlling them, not them he. I can see Rich as a vocal preacher in front of crowds someday explaining how he fell in love with Jesus (for a second time) and together, they drove the demons out of his house and home. We are now four pillars, each with our own weaknesses, but are supporting each other in a way others would envy. Thank you all. Reply to this
Mark 15.
I wonder why Barabbas, the prisoner, was released. Why him? I am sure there were lots of other prisoners from which Pilate could have chosen. (In Matthew, he was known as 'notorious'. In John and Luke, the people ASKED for Barabbas, which Luke also called a murderer.) Why this guy? Was he some sort of hero to the people because he and been a part of a movement against the Romans? That's my guess. Their hero, I believe, was one who fought the enemy (the Romans), and had been brought up on charges of insurrection and murder...which, probably, were trumped up charges by the Romans anyway. So, I believe these people looked to Barabbas, not as a murderer, but as a leader, a hero. Years ago when I first read this, I truly wondered why they would want a murderer back out on the streets with them, but the more I think of it, the more I see him as someone they looked up to. Because the religious leaders of that day had the people so hoodwinked that they were following age old man made traditions, most people couldn't see straight. Here was Jesus, their REAL hero, right in front of them, but they could not see it. They were blinded by religion, so stuck to their ways, and lead by such determined men, that they simply couldn't see that Jesus was the one fighting for them, not Barabbas. Probably a lot of them did believe that Jesus was who he said, yet because of the force of the religious leaders, they simply refuted it and went along with those in charge. Today, churches all over the US and world are similar in makeup to the religion of Jesus' day. Too much tradition, religious leaders who have got it wrong, and people who are swayed by both. The more I read, the more I see that I have to make my own decisions about God, and lean less on the leaders. I don't mean totally ignore them, but take what they say with a grain of salt, and be like a Berean, and study out the Scriptures. You feel the same?
Reply to this
Mac - yes, I feel the same. My convictions need to be my own - not based on what some religious leader says. But I only feel that way now because I have been reading the bible everyday and writing in the blog everyday. It is much easier to depend on someone else's beliefs and convictions. They do the work and I 'think' I am getting the conviction. But it doesn't work that way. That is the way of the 'crowds' often mentioned in the Bible - those tossed to and fro by the winds.
When I first started in the blog, I thought it was fun and I enjoyed "dropping" in every so often - that is, when I had a quiet time (like I said, every so often). A few weeks ago I finally got the conviction that studying my bible and blogging everyday was more than just a fun thing to do. It was necessary for me to grow. I have always wanted to grow spiritually, but to my shame I have never been consistent in my study. Sure, I have had times when I have read the Bible everyday, but I have never been pushed to "think" everyday like I am now. Writing my thoughts down everyday in a consistent manner has been the best thing I have ever done! Reading what you guys say everyday is an awesome bonus. I feel like I am having up to 4 quiet times per day (when Tony and Rik blog too - a shout out to you guys to be consistent and to do Mac and I a 'service' to share with us what you are thinking and learning!!!).
Guys, this is my way of saying "Thank You" for reaching out to me, for inviting me into your lives through the blog and in time in church, for praying for me during my struggles and for being my source of strength during my times of weakness. I 'owe' more to you guys than you could ever imagine. The Bible teaches that we are supposed to be sharing our faith and reaching out to people. We have all been taught that is church as well. And we have all feel bad about how little we really do share our faith (I know this is true for me and from some past blogs I am pretty sure it is also true for you). But sharing is not just with those who do not claim to know Jesus or who do not go to church. Sharing is among ourselves as well. Think of how many times in these blogs one or more of us has talked about being weak, attacked, struggling with faith, struggling with spouses and/or children, .... Many!!! In times like those I have needed you guys and you have needed me. You have reached out to me and shared your faith with me and in that way you have fulfilled your mission as disciples of Jesus. Thank you so much.
Struggles and weakness due to fatigue, physical ailments and illnesses, stress, life, and on and on are to be expected in our lives. We are fooling ourselves if we think we will ever be immune to these. That is why we need one another. I love you guys - unfortunately not like Jesus loved going to the cross, but my goal is to love like this. Jesus set the standard for love - we get an opportunity to reach towards that standard in our relationships with one another.
Reply to this
To Rich...ya brought tears (literally) to my eyes. Your gained wisdom and insight over your years as a follower of Christ are pearls for the rest of us. In today's world of distance and worldly inundating issues, it is difficult to meet friends face to face daily and discuss our Lord. I am glad this BLOG and/or our emails have been tools we can use to grow closer together and closer to God. All of you guys have had a great impact on me since we started this blog back in June. And I am truly thankful, as well, to each of you. I have seen Tony go from "it may click someday" to the day it clicked. I have gotten to know Rick's struggles much better and because of that, have been able to see him handling them better--the results?--Jeanette has come out of her coccoon and is growing as a friend of our family. And to see Zack participate with good comments when we are together, is also, I believe, a byproduct of Rick's growth. And lastly, my newest friend, Rich. What a guy! Suffering for years with demons throughout his household, he has seemed to gather all his previous teachings and swelled forward to a point where he is controlling them, not them he. I can see Rich as a vocal preacher in front of crowds someday explaining how he fell in love with Jesus (for a second time) and together, they drove the demons out of his house and home. We are now four pillars, each with our own weaknesses, but are supporting each other in a way others would envy. Thank you all.
Reply to this