What did Peter ask Christ concerning forgiveness? What did Jesus tell him? What do you think Jesus meant?
Peter chose a number I'm sure he thought was reasonable, or perhaps even generous, and Jesus came back with an answer that blew apart Peter's little box called "forgiveness". I think Peter gave an exact number because he was looking for a loophole; a time when he could rightfully say, "You've wounded me one too many times, I'm not required to forgive you this time". Christ could have given Peter an exact number, but He chose to frame His response using the concept of "multiplying". In other words, I think Christ was saying, "You need to open your heart wider, Peter. You need to have an attitude of forgiveness that allows you to be prepared to forgive others as often as is necessary---even beyond what you might feel is generous, and often beyond what you are humanly capable of".
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
First We Pray: Lesson 7---Question 8
Isaiah 43:25 tells us that God forgives us "for His own sake". What do you think this means?
I think this is referring to the idea that God has a reputation to uphold, and in many cases to repair because of the many atrocities that are done "in His name". Also, when God forgives, people are transformed. When people are transformed they become living, breathing testimonies of the awesome power of God, and this in turn draws others to Himself. Ezekiel 36:22a,23b says it this way:
22-23 "Therefore, tell Israel, 'Message of God, the Master: I'm not doing this for you, Israel. I'm doing it for me, to save my character, my holy name ...I'm going to put my great and holy name on display, the name that has been ruined in so many countries...Then the nations will realize who I really am, that I am God, when I show my holiness through you so that they can see it with their own eyes. (The MSG)
I think this is referring to the idea that God has a reputation to uphold, and in many cases to repair because of the many atrocities that are done "in His name". Also, when God forgives, people are transformed. When people are transformed they become living, breathing testimonies of the awesome power of God, and this in turn draws others to Himself. Ezekiel 36:22a,23b says it this way:
22-23 "Therefore, tell Israel, 'Message of God, the Master: I'm not doing this for you, Israel. I'm doing it for me, to save my character, my holy name ...I'm going to put my great and holy name on display, the name that has been ruined in so many countries...Then the nations will realize who I really am, that I am God, when I show my holiness through you so that they can see it with their own eyes. (The MSG)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Etiquette Guidelines for Posting
I just wanted to mention a few etiquette guidelines for posting:
- Please keep the tone of the posts respectful. Especially if you are responding to someone else’s post, but also if you are referencing other people or people groups in your post.
- Using caps is generally considered the equivalent of “shouting” over the internet. Consider reserving them for expressions of wonder and delight :).
- You may wish to keep the personal content more general in nature. Though this blogspot is “Not public”, it is still on the internet.
- In any kind of discussion, there are always ideas expressed that are different from our own. Love can cover a lot. :)
In His love, Cathy
How do the Jews Reconcile Their Beliefs about the Messiah?
The question “how do the Jews reconcile their belief that the Messiah has not yet come with the Messianic prophecies in Old Testament scripture?” has come up a few times. From the little bit that I have researched, I think they believe that Jesus did not fulfill “all” the prophecies, at least not in the manner they expect them to be fulfilled. According to this particular website, they also seem to reject the idea that the Messiah will be a “savior”, or that he will have a divine nature. This was astounding to me. I had always assumed that they were waiting for the same Messiah that we understand Him to be, but that He just hadn’t arrived yet. According to this website (Judaism 101) http://www.jewfaq.org/moshiach.htm , written from an observant orthodox Jew’s point of view, who has a background in legal research, this is what Jews believe about the Messiah.
The word "moshiach" does not mean "savior." The notion of an innocent, divine or semi-divine being who will sacrifice himself to save us from the consequences of our own sins is a purely Christian concept that has no basis in Jewish thought. Unfortunately, this Christian concept has become so deeply ingrained in the English word "messiah" that this English word can no longer be used to refer to the Jewish concept. The word "moshiach" will be used throughout this page.
The Moshiach
The moshiach will be a great political leader descended from King David (Jeremiah 23:5). The moshiach is often referred to as "moshiach ben David" (moshiach, son of David). He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments (Isaiah 11:2-5). He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example. He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel. He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions (Jeremiah 33:15). But above all, he will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being.
It has been said that in every generation, a person is born with the potential to be the moshiach. If the time is right for the messianic age within that person's lifetime, then that person will be the moshiach. But if that person dies before he completes the mission of the moshiach, then that person is not the moshiach.
If you peruse the rest of the website you can get a fuller picture of the orthodox Jewish belief system. The "welcome" page tells you a little bit more about the author of the website.
The word "moshiach" does not mean "savior." The notion of an innocent, divine or semi-divine being who will sacrifice himself to save us from the consequences of our own sins is a purely Christian concept that has no basis in Jewish thought. Unfortunately, this Christian concept has become so deeply ingrained in the English word "messiah" that this English word can no longer be used to refer to the Jewish concept. The word "moshiach" will be used throughout this page.
The Moshiach
The moshiach will be a great political leader descended from King David (Jeremiah 23:5). The moshiach is often referred to as "moshiach ben David" (moshiach, son of David). He will be well-versed in Jewish law, and observant of its commandments (Isaiah 11:2-5). He will be a charismatic leader, inspiring others to follow his example. He will be a great military leader, who will win battles for Israel. He will be a great judge, who makes righteous decisions (Jeremiah 33:15). But above all, he will be a human being, not a god, demi-god or other supernatural being.
It has been said that in every generation, a person is born with the potential to be the moshiach. If the time is right for the messianic age within that person's lifetime, then that person will be the moshiach. But if that person dies before he completes the mission of the moshiach, then that person is not the moshiach.
If you peruse the rest of the website you can get a fuller picture of the orthodox Jewish belief system. The "welcome" page tells you a little bit more about the author of the website.
First We Pray: Lesson 6--Question 4B
What part did the Jews play in bringing about God’s plan for the world?
Because of their rejection of Christ, salvation was made available to the rest of the World.
I think that sometimes we as Christians are very hard on the Jews. I think we sometimes assume that because God was so intimate with them as a people, because He so clearly revealed to them the signs to look for when the Messiah came, that they shouldn’t have missed it, that it should have been “obvious” to them. And for some of them, it was. They became the early church. I think we sometimes forget that like Saul/Paul, though not always quite so dramatically, the opening of the eyes of the spirit is a supernatural event. The ability to recognize Him, was something only God could do. Consider: if the Pharisees and High Priests recognized Him as the Messiah, Christ would never have been crucified. (2 Corinthians 2: 5-10) If the Jews had not rejected Him, the Good News would not have been open to the Gentiles.... to us. For our sake, many of the Jews were “kept” blind, their hearts hardened for His purposes.
This does not “excuse” them. They are still held accountable for their choice, but their redemption is coming. When the eyes of their spirit are opened imagine how devastating it will be to know they crucified the very one they’d been longing for, but also how humbling and overwhelming to see that He submitted Himself to that death for their sake.(Acts 2:22-40). Romans11 does an excellent job of summarizing it all.
Romans 11: 25-26a
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,[g] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved.
Romans 11: 7-8, 11-12, 28-32
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”[d]
11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share[k] in God’s mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
Because of their rejection of Christ, salvation was made available to the rest of the World.
I think that sometimes we as Christians are very hard on the Jews. I think we sometimes assume that because God was so intimate with them as a people, because He so clearly revealed to them the signs to look for when the Messiah came, that they shouldn’t have missed it, that it should have been “obvious” to them. And for some of them, it was. They became the early church. I think we sometimes forget that like Saul/Paul, though not always quite so dramatically, the opening of the eyes of the spirit is a supernatural event. The ability to recognize Him, was something only God could do. Consider: if the Pharisees and High Priests recognized Him as the Messiah, Christ would never have been crucified. (2 Corinthians 2: 5-10) If the Jews had not rejected Him, the Good News would not have been open to the Gentiles.... to us. For our sake, many of the Jews were “kept” blind, their hearts hardened for His purposes.
This does not “excuse” them. They are still held accountable for their choice, but their redemption is coming. When the eyes of their spirit are opened imagine how devastating it will be to know they crucified the very one they’d been longing for, but also how humbling and overwhelming to see that He submitted Himself to that death for their sake.(Acts 2:22-40). Romans11 does an excellent job of summarizing it all.
Romans 11: 25-26a
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,[g] so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved.
Romans 11: 7-8, 11-12, 28-32
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”[d]
11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. 30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead. 31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share[k] in God’s mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.
I don't know about you, but those verses are kind of hard to wrap my mind around (verses 7-8, 32 in particular) . I think that is why Paul follows this passage with these words (Romans 11:33-36):
Amen indeed.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
First We Pray: Lesson 6--Question 2C
Why does Satan want to keep us from prayer?
If we were to consider some general principles of warfare in response to this question, it becomes clear why Satan seeks to keep us from prayer. As a tactical maneuver, if the lines of communication are shut down between the target's troops and Commander in Chief, the troops become very vulnerable. They become susceptible to lies or misinformation, making them unaware of what’s really going on. Soon they begin making decisions without all the intel that’s needed. Essentially, the troops are fighting "blind" with no opportunity to receive intelligence about the Enemy; strategies can’t be shared; morale can’t be boosted; they can’t call for back-up and rescue attempts are sabotaged. In sum, broken lines of communication can be devastating to the troop's ability to fight effectively. Death and casualties are imminent.
If Satan keeps us from prayer, in essence shutting down our lines of communication, his goal is accomplished: disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair, and demoralization have an opportunity to set in and keep us separated from God---a kind of spiritual death.
If we were to consider some general principles of warfare in response to this question, it becomes clear why Satan seeks to keep us from prayer. As a tactical maneuver, if the lines of communication are shut down between the target's troops and Commander in Chief, the troops become very vulnerable. They become susceptible to lies or misinformation, making them unaware of what’s really going on. Soon they begin making decisions without all the intel that’s needed. Essentially, the troops are fighting "blind" with no opportunity to receive intelligence about the Enemy; strategies can’t be shared; morale can’t be boosted; they can’t call for back-up and rescue attempts are sabotaged. In sum, broken lines of communication can be devastating to the troop's ability to fight effectively. Death and casualties are imminent.
If Satan keeps us from prayer, in essence shutting down our lines of communication, his goal is accomplished: disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair, and demoralization have an opportunity to set in and keep us separated from God---a kind of spiritual death.
First We Pray: Lesson 6--Question 6(b)
How do we separate what we can appreciate and participate in from the aspects of the world that would not be God’s choice for us?
1 Corinthians 10:23 tell us that “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial”. Anything that takes my focus away from Christ, or that is ultimately destructive to the spirit is not beneficial. God's word will help us discern what is beneficial. The following scriptures speak to the role that the Word has in our lives:
James 1:25 25 But those who look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continue in it—not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Psalm 19: 7-14 The law of the Lord is perfect. It gives us new strength. The laws of the Lord can be trusted. They make childish people wise. The rules of the Lord are right.They give joy to our hearts. The commands of the Lord shine brightly. They give light to our minds. The law that brings respect for the Lord is pure. It lasts forever. The directions the Lord gives are true. All of them are completely right. They are more priceless than gold.They have greater value than huge amounts of pure gold. They are sweeter than honey that is taken from the honeycomb. I am warned by them. When I obey them, I am greatly rewarded. Can I know my mistakes? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep me also from the sins I want to commit. May they not be my master. Then I will be without blame. I will not be guilty of any great sin against your law. Lord, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes. You are my Rock an my Redeemer.
Psalm 119:9 & 11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules... I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
1 Corinthians 10:23 tell us that “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial”. Anything that takes my focus away from Christ, or that is ultimately destructive to the spirit is not beneficial. God's word will help us discern what is beneficial. The following scriptures speak to the role that the Word has in our lives:
James 1:25 25 But those who look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continue in it—not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
Psalm 19: 7-14 The law of the Lord is perfect. It gives us new strength. The laws of the Lord can be trusted. They make childish people wise. The rules of the Lord are right.They give joy to our hearts. The commands of the Lord shine brightly. They give light to our minds. The law that brings respect for the Lord is pure. It lasts forever. The directions the Lord gives are true. All of them are completely right. They are more priceless than gold.They have greater value than huge amounts of pure gold. They are sweeter than honey that is taken from the honeycomb. I am warned by them. When I obey them, I am greatly rewarded. Can I know my mistakes? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep me also from the sins I want to commit. May they not be my master. Then I will be without blame. I will not be guilty of any great sin against your law. Lord, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes. You are my Rock an my Redeemer.
Psalm 119:9 & 11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules... I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
First We Pray: Lesson 6--Question 6(a)
How is it possible for us to be in the world but not of the world?
It’s all about perspective (the lens through which we filter & view life); passion (what it is that consumes our heart, time, thoughts, and emotional investment---essentially what it is that drives us) and priorities (what it is we value, what or who is most important to us). If our perspective, passion and priorities are under the influence of the Holy Spirit and guided by the truth of God’s Word, our identity will be defined by whom we are in Christ rather than defined by the world’s standards. If we know who we are, and essentially Whose we are, where we are, that is, “in the world”... will not matter. (Romans 12:1-2)
It’s all about perspective (the lens through which we filter & view life); passion (what it is that consumes our heart, time, thoughts, and emotional investment---essentially what it is that drives us) and priorities (what it is we value, what or who is most important to us). If our perspective, passion and priorities are under the influence of the Holy Spirit and guided by the truth of God’s Word, our identity will be defined by whom we are in Christ rather than defined by the world’s standards. If we know who we are, and essentially Whose we are, where we are, that is, “in the world”... will not matter. (Romans 12:1-2)
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.[b] 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
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