Tuesday, July 29, 2008

John 2...Carl's Blogged Bible Study, Credibility, Inclusivity

Like I said in my last post, any chapter in John really takes time and space to digest, which I don't have time for this week, but hopefully will in the days to come. It's kind of like attempting to play a full game of Risk in 20 minutes....doable (maybe) but sloppy.

The first recorded miracle, while occurring in isolation (of the synoptic gospels it is only mentioned in John), cannot be interpreted in isolation. Backtrack to the John 1 for a second...Jesus had just called his disciples. Only Jesus knew the crazy ride they were in for, yet they hardly knew him (in fact in 1:48 Nathaniel, after being called, asked Jesus how he knew him).

As I mentioned last time, John is all about verifying that Jesus is truly the Messiah; John's concern is Jesus' credibility (cf. Jn 20:31). While eventually Jesus would perform signs and wonders for men, women, Jews, Gentiles, Roman soldiers, etc. it was necessary to start with his core group; his disciples; his best friends; the guys who would die in his name (except John, the author of this gospel...ironic, huh). So before Jesus demonstrated his power to anyone else (except his mother...she obviously knew what Jesus was capable of--legends exist in which Jesus performs miracles as a child) Jesus performs a miracle for his disciples only. Coincidence or strategic? I'd say strategic. Gaining trust and loyalty of his inner (fickle) circle was part of the plan.

Jesus' "cleansing of the temple" is radical in John. Unlike Mark (who places the event closer to Jesus' death) John places it as the launch of Jesus public ministry. This freaks out a lot of believers as they perceive it as an error, but keep in mind that Jews of the first century did not think with a linear western mindset. Theirs was a topical mindset--importance trumps chronology.

Anyway, most folks perceive this story as a stern warning for misusing the temple; that is, Jesus was really ticked off at the money changing going on (Roman currency wasn't allowed...it had to be exchanged at a high rate for temple currency in order to pay the temple tax or buy sacrificial animals). I am sure Jesus was angered by this, after all he quotes Jer. 7:11 in referring to the temple as a den of Lions.

But while Jesus loved his Father's house, he loved people more. In this passage Jesus quotes Isaiah 56:7, "My house will be called a house of prayer for ALL nations." These thiefs, under priestly permission, had set up shop in one area of the temple..The COURT OF THE GENTILES. In doing so they left little to no room for worship of those not under the Abrahamic covenant. This house Jesus had walked in on wasn't a house of prayer for ALL nations, just for the Jews. I think this ticked Jesus off more than the bake sale in the atrium. We know from all the synoptics, especially Luke, that Jesus went out of his way for the marginalized, the Samaritans, the Gentiles.

So sure, according the prophecy in Ps. 69:9, zeal for this all inclusive house consumed him. Then as Jesus fulfills the prophets, he himself prophesies his own death, which will be remembered as a sign by his disciples at the right time.

***I hate proofreading...but I hate errors too...if you see any, let me know.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW... I should make you post on short notice all the time.

This house Jesus had walked in on wasn't a house of prayer for ALL nations, just for the Jews. I think this ticked Jesus off more than the bake sale in the atrium.

You wonder what else we do in church that ticks God off? Worship is more of an identity and something to check of the list of being done, than outward praise of God. (Did that make since?)

Thanks for bringing the history also.

Anonymous said...

Hmm. I had always understood the cleansing of the temple to be two seperate events, one at te beginnging of his ministry and one at the end after the triumphal entry.

Interesting...

Love the part about the Gentiles and Samaritans and that being the house he was referring to. Fascinating stuff!

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Nate! I see we were on the same page with this "private" miracle for the disciples. I love that Jesus showed Himself as Creator, able to change the very substance of something without even using a word...just did.

We serve a mighty God.

Anonymous said...

somehow I over looked this! awesome! we do get way too caught up in the timing of things, and not as impressed with importance...I am trying to get this through to my kids..priorities are not about how much you can squeeze in as it is about importance..aaaaaaahhhh I am off track again..sorry..love ya Nate, and love to read your take on things! thanks for doing that!

Anonymous said...

your blog is loading slowly

Anonymous said...

i dont have at&t and wont have it for a month or 2..so im wondering if i could just buy the iphone now and activate it. i know i obviously cant use it to call and stuff but i dont want a contract i want a prepaid plan so i just want to use th iphone for that.is this possible or do i need a contract to buy an iphone?
[url=http://unlockiphone22.com]unlock iphone[/url]

Anonymous said...

[color=red]The Most Affordable XRUMER/BACKLINK SERVICE Online!
The EFFORTLESS and POWERFUL WAY TO BUILD MASSIVE # OF BACKLINKS
[color=black]
200,000 BLASTS of your URLs+ Anchor Tex, message, pictures (can be spinned) etc
$10 USD (shared with other clients like a carpool), or
$25/200k for exclusive!(you control EVERYTHING)
$50 Exclusive @ 500,000 blasts.
(Complete reports will be given to clients)

[IMG]http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/1540/arrowdownh.gif[/IMG]
For orders, questions or concerns? Email: [u]formless.void47 at gmail.com [/u]
Note:
1. For STRICT Whitehat sites, it is advised to create buffers to pass on linkjuice. i.e. social bookmarks, cloaked pages etc.
You can blast the site directly, but it entails risk.
Using buffers are 100% safe, speaking from experience.
2. Xrumer is a very technical tool. Just describe to me what sorts of effects you want and well make it happen!
If you want to buy Xrumer?
>>>>> http://cloakedlink.com/chzgykebsd <<<<<<

[color=black]
-------
CLIENT 2 SAMPLE SPACE FILLED WITH URLs,Pics and Keywords
seo tekst seo cloaking link to buy seo elite serial seo procedure Xrumer Working purchase seo spyglass legal seo seo new york city xrumer 50a seo nz seo italy seo mindset buy seo Buy Sponsored Link seo specialist roma seo security increase page rank pay for performance seo seo training class seo classes buy missing link seo leads text link seo spider seo preston buy d link routers boston seo seo usa for xrumer xrumer service seo expert seo friendly shopping cart seo blog india multilingual seo search engine optimization service latest seo black seo buy backlinks seo training canada seo consultants seo sales seo explained seo jobs india seo gold affordable seo company india seo promotion Install Xrumer seo medical

-----
CLIENT 3 SAMPLE SPACE
[url=http://provenheightincrease.co.cc/ebook/height-increase-age-21]height increase age 21[/url] http://provenheightincrease.co.cc/ebook/height-increase-age-21

[url=http://herpeset.co.cc/cheap/Herpes-Simplex-In-Children-Herpes-Photo-Genital-Herpes-1.html]herpes simplex in children herpes photo genital herpes 1[/url]

http://www.ripoffreport.com/corrupt-companies/global-life-inhancem/global-life-inhancements-aka-h-a2fyc.htm

[url=http://buynaturalcoloncleanse.blogsome.com/2009/12/09/panasonic-viera-s1-series-tc-p65s1-65-inch-1080p-plasma-hdtv-black/]PanasonicVIERAS1SeriesTC-P65S165-Inch1080pPlasmaHDTV,Black[/url]


-----
CLIENT 4 SAMPLE SPACE
[url=http://provenheightincrease.co.cc/ebook/how-to-increase-testosterone]how to increase testosterone[/url] http://provenheightincrease.co.cc/ebook/how-to-increase-testosterone

[url=http://growyourdick.co.cc/penile/impotence-natural-remedies]impotence natural remedies[/url] http://growyourdick.co.cc/penile/impotence-natural-remedies

http://www.fragrance-direct.info/Purchase-Cheapest-Genuine-Obsession-Fragrance-Discounts-Online-Website-Sale-Buy-Best-Authentic-Ecusson.html

http://buycheapplasmatv.info/cgi-bin/index.pl?=flat-screen-television [url=http://buycheapplasmatv.info/cgi-bin/index.pl?=flat-screen-television]flat screen television[/url]

[url=http://teethwhiteningstripsreviews.info/xr/miami-laser-tooth-whitening]Fort Erie Lac-Mégantic ADA recommended coupon Tamworth whiten teeth with at home products Dolbeau-Mistassini tootgh whitening Perth teefth whitening[/url]

-----
CLIENT 5 SAMPLE SPACE
[url=http://cheapxrumerservice.co.cc]Cheap Xrumer Service[/url]
[url=http://cheapxrumerservice.co.cc]Cheapest Xrumer Service[/url]
[url=http://cheapxrumerservice.co.cc]Best Xrumer Service[/url]
--------
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977946257##Buy Pleo Dinosaur Robots Ugobe Pleo Dinosaur Pleo For Sale Pleo Interactive Dinosaur Pleo Reviews

http://cheaphdtvplasma.co.cc/television/plasma-tv-uk [url=http://cheaphdtvplasma.co.cc/television/plasma-tv-uk]plasma tv uk[/url]

[url=http://stopacaiberryscams.info/cgi-bin/index.pl/acai-juices]acai juices[/url]

Anonymous said...

mesoamericas antagonistic otablet helpgood especially cesspools underused isro dronbrighton encrypted scadplus
lolikneri havaqatsu

Anonymous said...

в конце концов: мне понравилось. а82ч

Anonymous said...

Вот еще немного ссылок на тему, как похудеть.
как похудеть в ягодицах - http://wellwaff.t35.com

Anonymous said...

While creating the assurance to pay does not guarantee transaction, an IOU note can be used as evidence the debt in the court of law london business angels often the borrower must have the Pay day loans and Cash Advance