Well this raises a couple of questions, doesn't it?

I know I've said this before but one of the things I love about studying Scripture is that no matter how many times I have read the Bible (I've lost count), new things pop out at me each time.  Things that leave me amazed that I never noticed them before.

Here is an example from today.  This is Jesus talking to His disciples.  This is after Jesus has been crucified, buried, and risen.  This is the second time He appears to all the disciples including Thomas. 

John 20:21-23(NKJV)

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 

And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Hmm, am I reading that correctly?  I get the "receive the Holy Spirit" part.  It's the part in green that I am wondering about.  Do we as disciples really have the power to forgive sins or not forgive them?

I can see two schools of thought here.  First on an individual basis I'd say that is certainly so.  If we are wronged we certainly do have the free will choice to decide if we forgive the person or not.  But our decision to forgive or not has nothing to do with whether they are forgiven by God or not.  That is between the person and God.

But the wording in blue makes me question whether that is the correct interpretation or not.  Jesus says "As the father sent me, I also send you".  God sent Jesus to forgive sins or not on an eternal, heavenly basis, not just an individual basis. 

Based on those words I think a reasonable person could make the case that Jesus was talking about disciples having the power to forgive or not on an eternal, heavenly basis.  I find it an odd concept but not without precedent in Scripture.

Here is one example. 

1 Corinthians 6:1-3(NKJV)

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 

Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 

Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 

There are also references in Revelation to us judging.  There are probably others but these are the two that come to mind.

I don't really know where I stand on this one yet.  It is going to take some more study.  Specifically I will be looking for confirmation in the Old Testament.  Stay tuned for future updates on this topic.

"The Christ Commission"

John 19:38-42(NKJV)

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 

And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 

Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 

So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

One of my very favorite books of all time is The Christ Commission, a novel by Og Mandino.  What made me think of the book was seeing Joseph of Arimathea in the Scripture above.  You see, Joseph is one of the main characters of The Christ Commission.  Here is a summary from Amazon.com.

In front of eight million TV viewers, "The Greatest Mystery Writer in the World" bragged he could prove Christ was actually stolen from the tomb and never really rose from the dead . . . if he were given just one week back in ancient Jerusalem.  That night author Matt Lawrence got his wish.  A knock-out punch took him right out of this world and landed him in Biblical Judea in 26 A.D., just six years after the execution of Jesus at Golgotha.  In relentless pursuit of his investigation, Lawrence walked the same streets Jesus walked, visited the same places . . . and found himself facing the same dangers.  Eyewitness reports might lead him to a discovery that would shake the world--but will he live long enough to tell the 30th century that he just solved the greatest mystery of all time?

From <https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Commission-Discover-Proof-Christian/dp/0553277421>

If you are ever looking for a fun book with a great message I would highly recommend this one.  If you order it and read it I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Well that depends on the meaning of the word "openly".

This caught my eye.  It's all about nuance. 

John 18:20-21(NKJV)

Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 

Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

Hmm, really?  I guess it depends on the meaning of openly.  In the context of what He said in this Scripture He did speak openly.  Meaning that He did His speaking in public where all could hear and witness what He said and did. 

But…Jesus also said many times that He spoke in parables so that only some would understand.  In that sense He didn't speak openly.  There were people whom God and Jesus purposely didn't want saved. 

Jesus isn't lying here, but it seems to me He's not entirely forthcoming either.  I wonder what the lesson is in that?

Friday, August 25, 2017

10:07 AM

This caught my eye.  It's all about nuance. 

John 18:20-21(NKJV)

Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 

Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

Hmm, really?  I guess it depends on the meaning of openly.  In the context of what He said in this Scripture He did speak openly.  Meaning that He did His speaking in public where all could hear and witness what He said and did. 

But…Jesus also said many times that He spoke in parables so that only some would understand.  In that sense He didn't speak openly.  There were people whom God and Jesus purposely didn't want saved. 

Jesus isn't lying here, but it seems to me He's not entirely forthcoming either.  I wonder what the lesson is in that?

Plunder

This raises an interesting question.  Read the definition of Plunder and then Scripture below that.  Then I will ask my question.

Plunder

1. to rob of goods or valuables by open force, as in war, hostile raids, brigandage, etc.:

to plunder a town.

2. to rob, despoil, or fleece:

to plunder the public treasury.

3. to take wrongfully, as by pillage, robbery, or fraud:

to plunder a piece of property.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/plunder?s=t>

So what I get from the definition is that plundering is immoral.  The definition uses terms like rob, wrongfully, robbery, and fraud to lead me to that conclusion, that plundering is immoral. 

But is it????  Read the Scripture.

Jeremiah 47:4(NKJV)

    Because of the day that comes to plunder all the Philistines,     To cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains;     For the Lord shall plunder the Philistines,     The remnant of the country of Caphtor.

Hmm.  God is going to plunder His enemies.  Does that mean God is acting in an immoral manner or does it mean that the definition is incorrect?  I would propose to you that it has to be one or the other. 

Because I believe God is a moral and just God I would be of the opinion that the definition is wrong, or at least partially wrong.  In the case of using force against ones enemies such as is the case in war, based on God's example, I see nothing wrong with the fulfillment of the phrase "to the victors go the spoils" (which comes from Caesar BTW). 

So why is that OK?  Because in cases of war it is the rule of the jungle baby!  In civil society we don't attack other countries and just take stuff.  Countries that decide to take that route have decided to live by the rule of the jungle.  Kill or be killed.  Prey or be prey.  Based on God's example, in cases like this, we should respond in kind.  Notice that God isn't saying turn the other cheek here!

Throughout the Old Testament there has been plundering on both sides.  God sometimes God told the Israelites not to take certain things.  God put limits on it but He never banned it or condemned it outright.  So once again we would be faced with the same dichotomy of either God was promoting something immoral (plundering) or there is nothing wrong with plundering in the case of violent conflict with ones enemies. 

Interesting question though isn't it?   

Tribulation and Cheer, tied together again!

As you know, one of my foundational verses is Romans 5:3-5.

Romans 5:3-5(NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I have written before about my belief that when we glory in our tribulations, that it is an outward demonstration of our inner faith.

Well I just ran across this verse which essentially says the same thing.  Slightly different wording but the meaning is the same in my opinion.

John 16:33(NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Pretty cool!

God is…Exalted

I didn't really learn much from this one.  What does it mean to be exalted?  See the definition below.  There is one verse that I picked out because I thought it had special relevance for today. 

It isn't about God being exalted.  It is about what happens when evil is exalted.  I thought it was a great commentary on society today.

Psalms 12:8(NKJV)

    The wicked prowl on every side,      When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

2 Samuel 22:47(NKJV)

    “The Lord lives!      Blessed be my Rock!     Let God be exalted,     The Rock of my salvation!

What is the definition of exalted? 

exalted

adjective

1. raised or elevated, as in rank or character; of high station:

an exalted personage.

2. noble or elevated; lofty:

an exalted style of writing.

3. rapturously excited.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/exalted>

Nehemiah 9:4-5(NKJV)

Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the Lord their God. 

And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:      “Stand up and bless the Lord your God     Forever and ever!     “Blessed be Your glorious name,     Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!

Job 36:22(NKJV)

    “Behold, God is exalted by His power;      Who teaches like Him?

Psalms 18:46(NKJV)

    The Lord lives!      Blessed be my Rock!     Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalms 46:10(NKJV)

    Be still, and know that I am God;      I will be exalted among the nations,     I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalms 47:9(NKJV)

    The princes of the people have gathered together,     The people of the God of Abraham.     For the shields of the earth belong to God;      He is greatly exalted.

Psalms 148:13(NKJV)

    Let them praise the name of the Lord,      For His name alone is exalted;     His glory is above the earth and heaven.

Why do bad things happen to good people? The age old question!

An answer to the age old question of why do bad things happen to good people? 

John 9:3-5(NKJV)

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

The answer is so that God's plan can be fulfilled.  It's like God sacrifices some for the good of all.  That bothers me a bit for some reason.  It comes awfully close to a socialist slogan.