Sunday, October 23, 2011

Reflections on John 12

The events of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as told by John begin in chapter 12. Jesus is anointed by Mary, ostensibly for His burial. Then an interesting event occurs, and we have the opportunity to examine a revelation by God and some core words of Jesus as experienced and reacted upon by three different types of people: Pharisees, Greeks, and the crowds. As readers after the fact, we have the opportunity ourselves react to Jesus.

I'll share some observations over the chapter in the next few posts. Take some time to read the chapter and think it through. We can benefit from sharing our thoughts together.
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9 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 23, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Peace and mercy of God
    My dear friend
    I would like to participate in simple words

    I am a Muslim - I have full faith that the great Messenger of Christ
    But I do not believe that the Son of God
    Or that God Incarnate

    In the story of Christ on the Cross
    There are lots of differences
    That allowed me to talk about this later

    Many of the men who wrote the Bible anonymous
    And the interpretation of the Bible recognized that

    I have full faith that there is one God in heaven
    This is the God who created everything
    And who sent Moses and Jesus and Mohammed

    I await your visit to my blog

    Muslim man loves you

    ReplyDelete
  2. dedOctober 23, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Kind of you to speak so warmly, sir.

    Obviously, I cannot accept your witness for Mohammed. This Christian man loves you, as well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. careyrowlandOctober 23, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    We will sort all this out some day, perhaps not on this earth.
    May the peace and mercy of Jesus, whose wounds were suffered because men cannot make peace with God nor with one another, be upon you.
    The tomb of Jesus is empty because he is risen. Where is Mohammed now?

    ReplyDelete
  4. careyrowlandOctober 23, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Crowds: Jubilation
    Greeks: Curiosity
    Pharisees: Don't rock the boat
    Muslims: Messiah's work insufficient, needed completion by later Mohammedan input.
    Me and my house: Jesus is Lord!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 24, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Mr. careyrowland
    We Muslims believe that Muhammad (peace be upon him) a great prophet
    Do not believe that God
    Noah - Abraham - Moses
    All great prophets
    Married and gave birth to children
    And they have a very great message
    And then died when their lives ended
    And buried in the ground
    Mohammed also

    Because Muslims believe in one God forever
    Does not die - or be crucified

    I hope that I understood my faith
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  6. dedOctober 25, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    Dear Gamal Abdel,

    You are welcome here. You are welcome to make comments.

    In truth, your faith and my faith are NOT the same. You will always want to lift up Mohammed as the most important prophet of God. I will only give honor and glory to Jesus. He alone is the first-born on earth of those who live in and by the grace and mercy of the Presence of God on earth.

    You should see me as an infidel in your faith. I will never bow my head or bend my knee to any honor given to your prophet.

    Again you are welcome here. However if your goal is to convert me to Islam, you will never achieve your goal.

    I believe we can agree to disagree and experience a valid exchange of thought between us simply as two men on the earth. I hold out to you an open heart.

    I speak this not as a challenge to you. It is important I make clear to you what my side of any conversation about the identity of God will always be. I commit I will give your words here the respect I offer you as a man. I do not expect you to honor the Lord Jesus in order to receive this respect.

    I would like the same respect from you even as I speak openly: I will never profess any faith other than my God lives on earth now. He will one day rule the earth from His throne in Jerusalem. His name is Jesus Christ.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    My dear friend did

    Thank you for your respect for me
    I also respect you

    Our differences in faith does not lead to war!
    God teaches us in the Qur'an
    He says he will remain until the Day of Judgement people different

    I f you believe that there is a creator god and great

    Hindus worship the cow in India
    They say she was the mother of God
    This does not prevent a Muslim to cooperate with them in good
    As brothers in humanity
    Did you know that there are about 200 million Muslims in India??

    The difference between us
    I respect a great apostle of Christ, not God

    Thank you again
    And I hope you accept my friendship

    ReplyDelete
  8. dedOctober 25, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Gamal Abdel, your offer of friendship is accepted. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. careyrowlandNovember 7, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord."
    Hebrews 12:14

    "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."
    Romans 12:18

    We've got a Song

    ReplyDelete