(05/03/2013) Jesus, A Party Animal?

      How Jesus behaved at parties and social gatherings is the topic, today. Also, there is more on recognizing true prophets. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Sally” (Level 2 with 367 points, a member since March 4, 2013) posted the following:

Did Jesus know how to enjoying himself at parties?

THE BATTLE AXE: Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013)—(5.) In addition to the spirit substance of their message, apostles, prophets and teachers sent from GOD are distinct and set apart by their display of humility, lowliness and obedience more than by their apparel, appearance, authority, eccentricity, formality, healings, miracles, rhetoric or ritual. See Romans 8: 8-10, Ephesians 4: 1-32 and James 3: 13-18, King James Version.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (Luke 7: 36-47, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: How Was GOD Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); Jesus, King of Earth (10/07/2012); The Work of Jesus (03/13/2012); Signs of a Prophet (03/14/2012); Mistaken Identity (02/04/2012); The Accursed Thing (02/05/2012); Trouble For The Good (01/15/2012); Chain Of Command (01/16/2012); All Righteousness (01/11/2012); Reason to Believe (01/12/2012); Binder 23: We Cry, Abba (10/20/2011); Adulterers? (01/15/2011); Sunday? (01/16/2011)

    
     Sally, here are some points for consideration that many mature Christians agree with:

(1.) The record provided by the holy writings is intended to describe (yet, not detail) the life, ministry and service of Jesus as Son of Man, and Son of GOD upon the earth. More important than his social identity through relationships (e.g., family, followers, friends, students) are his appearance as the glory and image of GOD in human flesh; his carrying out and performing sacred events previously proclaimed, promised and prophesied; and the closure he provided for specific eternal operations including creation, judgment, redemption, salvation and sanctification.

(2.) What Jesus “knew how to do” (and demonstrated for us today) in social gatherings includes showing balance, humility, respect to ones host and their guests, and sobriety. Jesus used every dinner and feast reported in Scripture as an opportunity to clarify the doctrines, and teach regarding the Kingdom. Jesus would have had no “fun” indulging the drunkenness, “getting high” and lewd behavior some want to call a “party”, now days. We are told, Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus, and enjoyed his time in their home as a welcome guest, time that also was spent in teaching. See Luke 14: 7-27 and Luke 10: 38-42, KJV.
    
     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) As a respected rabbi, Jesus was expected to maintain a peculiar separation from others. Uncleanness that would disqualify one from communal worship and service before the altar of GOD could be transferred from person to person simply by a touch from ones garment. To recover their status within the congregation, a person would have to endure a week of isolation, fasting, prayer and washing. Given so many of his healing miracles involved touching those accounted unclean, the social conduct of Jesus astonished many of the people, and the clergy of his day.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/22/2012) Did Jesus Know?

      Whether Jesus had foreknowledge of his resurrection before it occurred is a topic, today, along with more on Naaman the Leper. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “fixer29” (Level 4 with 2,680 points, November 16, 2010) posted the following:

Did Jesus know He was going to be resurrected before He was crucified?

Or did it come as a huge surprise when He woke up in a cave three days later?

THE BATTLE AXE: Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012)—Just as the miraculous healing of Naaman followed his obedience, only after obedience do believers receive authority, gratitude, joy, trust, understanding, and the imparted, indwelling spirit of GOD (we say, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Prophecy). All believers begin without full knowledge of the Gospel, and the things given from GOD. There must be inquiry, study, decision, death and resurrection (through baptism), confirmations of faith, and continuous change by spiritual growth. Once healed of otherwise incurable disease (leprosy is sin), Naaman becomes a figure of the divinely reborn who minister to mankind by sharing the Gospel of Christ. The prophet refuses the offer of payment and earthly rewards; however, his servant, Gehazi, pursues Naaman, and seeks reward through deception and lying. As a result, the servant receives the curse of Naaman’s leprosy upon himself, and upon his own future generations. As a minister to the prophet in the way Joshua attended Moses, Gehazi was one who stands in witness to the operation and presence of GOD, and one who has received such divine gifts as covenant, deliverance, law, and priesthood. Gehazi’s covetousness, presumption, and violation of trust is like that of one who hears the Gospel message, and despises the promises and spiritual gifts preferring outward appearance (e.g., changes of raiment), influence, wealth and worldly power.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (John 11: 21-27, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012); What He Died For (09/14/2012); Chances for Change (09/15/2012); Begotten not Made (09/08/2012); About False Witness (09/09/2012); Why Jesus Prayed (08/19/2012); How Life Exists (08/20/2012); Girdle 50: Unquenchable Life (01/06/2012)

      In addition to a record of the doctrines and teachings from GOD the Father that Jesus proclaimed by his ministry as an orthodox rabbi, the Scriptures identify many of the prophesies he carried out and performed as well as the declarations of his personal conviction and faith. Even knowledge for some of the most “private” prayers of Jesus have been provided to believers through the Holy Spirit (see Luke 11: 1-4 and John 17, King James Version). Jesus was familiar with the events and portents surrounding his birth; and, being human, he endured a continual struggle to acquire a mature comprehension, and complete acceptance of sacred truth (see Matthew 25: 20-46 and Mark 14: 13-42, KJV).

      Jesus lived in a society that had many divisions, errors, and faith eroding secular influences. Even among the elders and leaders of the Temple community (often called “the Jews” in Scripture), there were disbelievers and factions driven by human error, politics, and pride. Being anchored in faith, humility, obedience and prayer, Jesus acknowledged and demonstrated to all the proper duty for a son of GOD (see Luke 4: 16-21 and Matthew 11: 1-6, KJV). The holy writings were the most widely available and shared presentation of doctrine, and provided all the necessary elements for the common acceptance of salvation through Christ. Thus, Jesus and his followers preached and proclaimed the truths of his birth, death, burial and resurrection as fulfillment of prophecy, and things of the holy record, rather than the accomplishment of private goals and purposes (see Luke 24: 1-31, KJV).

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, how we experience events in our divine spirit, or in our human imagination and thoughts are at a very different level than events in our flesh and material reality. The events of the Lord’s Passion included many unexpected details, jolts and unanticipated traumas. For example, his expectation (i.e., hope) probably did not include seeing his mother stand before him at the foot of the cross.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIXWashington, DC