Maksutov wrote: I don't think we're reading the same text. It says demons went into a herd of pigs out of a disturbed man. I think that a fundamentalist Christian view of psychology is probably pseudoscientific at best and possibly dangerous. And I'm not a big fan of much of psychiatry, either.
It's possible to reread, rewrite, rethink every bit of the Bible into something more palatable, even more illuminating. I think that's the choice of the person who chooses to live by it. But those of us who do not, see it very differently. I'm sorry if it's offensive to you that I regard this body of literature with so little respect. I value it as an artifact, not as a source of wisdom. I know that you get much more out of it but I don't share that experience.
You observe the text says, that demons went into a herd of pigs out of a disturbed man. That is exactly what I observed. I made no alteration or rewrite of the text in any way at all.
I will admit however that there do exist some snake oil salesman who shout about Jay-zuss.
There are also millions of Christian believers who believe in science and medicine and go to doctors and do not have to alter anything about this text in order to feel completely reasonable working with science based medicine.
Maksutov wrote:I'm not a big fan of much of psychiatry, either.
+1 psychiaters are more Mormons morons than most of their patients
... Bible ...
Maksutov wrote:I value it as an artifact, not as a source of wisdom.
+1 again it is a must read for believers: words of god for nonbelievers: the true description the mavericks
Choyo Chagas is Chairman of the Big Four, the ruler of the planet from "The Bull's Hour" ( Russian: Час Быка), a social science fiction novel written by Soviet author and paleontologist Ivan Yefremov in 1968. Six months after its publication Soviet authorities banned the book and attempted to remove it from libraries and bookshops.
About then Jesus was walking through some wheat fields on a Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began to pick heads of wheat and eat the seeds.
When the Pharisees observed this, they told Jesus, “See here, it is against our Law for your disciples to do this during the Sabbath!”
Jesus answered, “Have you not read what David did the time when he and his men were hungry?
He went into the house of God, and he and his men ate the bread offered to God, even though it was against the Law for them to eat it. Only the priests were permitted to eat that bread.
Or have you not read in the Law of Moses that every Sabbath the priests in the Temple actually break the Sabbath law, yet they are not guilty?
Let me explain that there is something presently occurring greater than the Temple.
The scripture says, ‘It is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.’ If you really knew the meaning of this you wouldn't condemn people who are not guilty;
for the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Jesus walked on and entered a local synagogue,
There a man was with a withered hand. There were people there who wanted wanted to find fault with Jesus, so they asked him, “Is it against our Law to heal on the Sabbath?”
Jesus answered, “What if one of you has a sheep that fell into a deep hole on the Sabbath? Will you not grab hold of it and lift it out?
A human being is worth much more than a sheep! So then, our Law does allow us to help someone on the Sabbath.”
Then he said to the man with the paralyzed hand, “Stretch out your hand.”
He stretched it out, and it was healed, just like the other one.
Then the Pharisees left and started planning to kill Jesus.
When Jesus heard about the plot against him, he left that place, and large crowds followed him. He healed all the sick
and requested that they not to inform others concerning him.
He did this to fulfill what God had said through the prophet Isaiah:
“Here is my servant, that I chose, the one I love, and with whom I am pleased. I will send my Spirit upon him, and he will announce my judgment to the nations.
He will not argue, yell, or make loud speeches in the streets. He will not break off a bent reed, nor extinguish a flickering lamp. He will persist until He brings about justice to triumph,
And upon him all peoples will put their hope.”
Then some people brought to Jesus a man who was blind and could not speak because he had a demon. Jesus healed the man, so that he was able to talk and see.
The crowds were all amazed at what Jesus had done. “Could Jesus be the Son of David?” they asked.
When the Pharisees heard this, they replied, “He drives out demons only because their leader Beelzebul gives him power to do so.”
Jesus knew their thoughts, and so he said to them, “Any country that divides itself into groups that fight among themselves will not exist long. And any town or family that divides itself into groups which fight each other will drift apart.
So if one group is attacking another in Satan's kingdom, this means that it is already divided into groups and will soon crumble!
You say that I drive out demons because Beelzebul hands me the power to do so. Well, then, who gives your followers the power to drive them out? What your own followers do proves that you are in error!
No, it is not Beelzebul, but God's Spirit, who provides me the power to drive out demons, which proves that the Kingdom of God has already come upon you.
No one can break into a muscle man's house and take away his belongings unless he first ties up the muscle man; then he can plunder his house.
Anyone who is not for me is really against me; anyone who does not help me gather is really scattering.
For this reason I tell you: people can be forgiven any sin and any evil thing they say; but whoever rejects the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
Anyone who says something against the Son of Man can be forgiven; but whoever rejects the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.
To have good fruit you must have a healthy tree; if you have a poor tree, you will have bad fruit. A tree is known by the kind of fruit it bears.
You snakes—how can you say good things when you are evil? For the mouth repeats what the heart is consumed with.
A good person brings good things out of a treasure trove of good things; a bad person brings bad things from the storage of bad things.
You can be sure that on Judgment Day you will have to give account of every thoughtless word you have ever spoken.
Your words will be used to judge you—to declare you either innocent or guilty.”
Then some teachers of the Law and some Pharisees spoke up. “Teacher,” they said, “Perform a miracle.”
“How evil and godless are the people of this time!” Jesus exclaimed. “You ask me for some miracle? No! The only miracle you'll get is the miracle of the prophet Jonah.
In the way that Jonah spent 3 days and nights in the big fish, so will the Son of Man spend 3 days and nights in the bowels of the earth.
On the Judgment Day the people of Nineveh will stand and point fingers at you, because they turned from their sins when they heard Jonah preach; and I tell you that there is something occurring far greater than Jonah!
On the Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will stand up and point a finger at you, because she traveled all the way from her country to listen to King Solomon's wise teaching; and I assure you that there is something occurring here greater than Solomon!
When a demon leaves an individual, it travels over barren country seeking a spot to rest. If it can't discover one,
it thinks, ‘I will return to my shelter.’ So it goes back and finds the spot empty, clean, and all tidied up.
Then it travels out and brings back 7 other spirits far worse than itself, and they come and live there. So when it is all over, that person is in worse shape than at the beginning. This will occur to the evil people of this day.”
Jesus was still speaking to the people when his mother and brothers showed up. They waited outside, asking to speak with Jesus.
So one among the people said to Jesus, “See, your mother and brothers are waiting outside, and they wish to speak with you.”
Jesus answered, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”
Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look! These are my mother and my brothers!
Whoever does what my Father in heaven desires is my brother, sister, and mother.”
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath 1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.
2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.
5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?
6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue,
10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?
12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
God’s Chosen Servant 15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.
16 He warned them not to tell others about him.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”
Jesus and Beelzebul 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.
23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
The Sign of Jonah 38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers 46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
LittleNipper wrote:46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Yes, this is where Jesus disowns his family of birth to recognize the family he has created in his own cult. Probably because his family didn't give him the reverence that his followers did. Let's face it, Jesus was an arrogant and rude son. Jesus the Jerk. He should have had his holy heinie kicked for this behavior.
That very day Jesus left the house and was sitting beside the sea of Galilee.
But there such a large crowds mobing Him that He got into a boat and positioning Himself as a teacher, while the crowds stood on the shore.
He told them many things in story form, saying, “Now listen: a sower went out to spread seed in his field;
and as he sowed, some seed fell along the road, and the birds came and ate it.
Other seed fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil; and quickly they sprang up because they had no depth of soil.
But when the sun got high, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Other seed fell among briars, and thorns came up and choked them out.
Other seed fell on good soil and yielded grain, some a hundred times as much tossed, some sixty times as much, and some thirty.
He who has ears, let him hear and heed My words.”
Then the disciples came to Jesus and questioned, “Why do You speak to the crowds through stories?”
Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been given knowledge to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
For whoever has spiritual wisdom because he is open to God’s word, to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have spiritual wisdom because he has underestimated God’s word, even what he has he will lose.
This is the reason I speak to the crowds in story form ---- because while having sight they do not perseive, and while able to hear they do not comprehend, nor do they understand and grasp spirituality.
By them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says: ‘You will hear and keep listening, but never understand; And you will look and keep observing, but never comprehend.
For this nation’s very soul has grown callous, and with their ears they hardly hear. And they have their eyes wide shut. Otherwise, they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, turning to Me. And I would heal them.’
But spiritually blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
I assure you and solemnly tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to observe what you do, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and didn't hear it.
Listen now to the meaning of the story of the sower:
When anyone hears the word regarding salvation and does not understand and grasp it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was placed in his heart. This is like the seed sown beside the road.
The seed sown on rocky ground, is like the one who hears the word and at once welcomes it with joy; yet he has no substantial network in himself, but is only temporary. So, when pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles abandoning the One who is the source of salvation.
And the seed sown among thorns, this is like the one who hears the word, but the worries and distractions of the world and superficial pleasures and delight for riches choke the word, and it yields no fruit.
And the seed sown on the good soil, is like the one who hears the word and understands and comprehends; he indeed bears fruit and yields, some a hundred times, some sixty, and some thirty.”
Jesus presented another story for consideration, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field.
But while his men were napping, his enemy came and sowed weed seeds among the wheat, and went away.
So when the plants sprouted and formed grain, the weeds also sprouted.
The servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How come it has weeds in it?’
The owner replied to them, ‘An enemy accomplished this.’ The servants asked him, ‘Then do you want us to pull the weeds out?’
But the owner replied, ‘No; because as you pull out the weeds, you may uproot the wheat also.
Allow them grow together until the harvest; and at that time I will inform the reapers to first gather the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; but gather the wheat into my barn.'”
Jesus them with another story, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field;
and of all the regional seeds it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the biggest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air take shelter among its branches.”
Jesus presented to them another story, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and worked into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in story form, and He said nothing to them except as a story.
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open My mouth in stories; I will utter things unknown and unfathomable to mankind since the foundation of the world.”
Then He left the crowds and entered the house. And His disciples came to Him saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
Jesus answered, “The one who plants the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and regarding the good seed, these are the children of the kingdom; and the weeds are the children of the evil one.
The enemy who planted them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.
So just as the weeds are bundled up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things offensive, and all who practice evil,
and will toss them into the fiey furance. In here will be sorrow, pain, distress and anger.
Then the righteous will shine forth radiating new life in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears may he listen, let him hear and heed My words.
The kingdom of heaven is like a valuable treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and buried again; then in joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field to posess that treasure legally.
to restate, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
and upon finding a single pearl of astounding value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Moreover, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was lowered into the sea, and gathered fish of all sorts,
and when it was full, they dragged it up on the beach; and they sat down and sorted out the good fish into baskets, but the worthless ones they tossed aside.
So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw the wicked into the furnace of fire; in there will be sorrow, pain, distress and anger.
Have you understood all these things?” They answered Jesus, “Certainly!”
He informed them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household, who brings out of his treasure trove items that are new and fresh and things that are old and familiar.”
When Jesus had finished these stories, He left there.
And upon arriving in Nazareth His hometown, He began teaching them in their synagogue, and they were astonished, and said, “What is the source of this Man's wisdom and these miraculous powers?
Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas [Not the Betrayer]?
And His sisters, don't they reside among us? Where then did this Man get all this?”
And they refused to accept Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
And He did not do many miracles in Nazareth because of their unbelief.
New International Version (NIV)
The Parable of the Sower 1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.
3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.
5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
13 This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them."
16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
The Parable of the Weeds 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast 31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.
32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[b] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”
The Parable of the Weeds Explained 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net 47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.
49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.
“Yes,” they replied.
52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
A Prophet Without Honor 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.
54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.
55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?
56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”
57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith
And upon arriving in Nazareth His hometown, He began teaching them in their synagogue, and they were astonished, and said, “What is the source of this Man's wisdom and these miraculous powers?
Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas [Not the Betrayer]?
And His sisters, don't they reside among us? Where then did this Man get all this?”
And they refused to accept Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
And He did not do many miracles in Nazareth because of their unbelief.
How very interesting. Those who knew him best believed him least. Of course, he disrespected and dismissed them earlier, probably because they dared question him. But they apparently knew enough to be a threat to his mission.
And upon arriving in Nazareth His hometown, He began teaching them in their synagogue, and they were astonished, and said, “What is the source of this Man's wisdom and these miraculous powers?
Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And are not His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas [Not the Betrayer]?
And His sisters, don't they reside among us? Where then did this Man get all this?”
And they refused to accept Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”
And He did not do many miracles in Nazareth because of their unbelief.
How very interesting. Those who knew him best believed him least. Of course, he disrespected and dismissed them earlier, probably because they dared question him. But they apparently knew enough to be a threat to his mission.
I can only imagine what they think of you back in your hometown...
During this time Herod [Antipas], the tetrarch, heard the reports concerning Jesus,
and said to his attendants, “This must be John the Baptist. He's been raised from the dead, and that is why the miraculous powers are at work in him.”
For Herod had John arrested and bound him and put him in prison [at the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Jordan, to keep him away] because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to Herod, “It is immoral for you to have her as your wife.”
Although Herod desired to have John executed, he feared the people, for they considered John as a prophet.
However, when Herod’s birthday came, [his niece Salome], the daughter of Herodias danced alluringly before them and pleased and fascinated Herod,
so much that he swore to give her whatever she asked.
She, being coached by her mother [Herodias], said, “Hand me the head of John the Baptist on a server.”
The king was distressed, but because of his promise, and dinner guests, he ordered it to be done for her.
He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she handed it to her mother [Herodias].
And John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
When Jesus heard about John, He left there privately in a boat and went to a secluded place. But when the crowds heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is an desolate place and the hour is already late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away --- give them something to eat!”
They replied, “We have nothing here except 5 loaves and 2 fish.”
Jesus said, “Bring them here to Me.”
Then He told the crowds to sit down on the grass, and He took the 5 loaves and the 2 fish and, looking up heavenward, He blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed them among the people,
and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up 12 full baskets of the leftover broken pieces.
There were about 5,000 men who ate, not counting women and children.
Immediately He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, while He sent the crowds away.
After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone.
But the boat was already a long distance from land, tossed and battered by the waves; for the wind was against them.
And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It's a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.
But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Smarten up, it is I! Do not be afraid!”
Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is actually You, command me to come to You on the water.”
Jesus said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw what the wind was doing, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
mmediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why doubt?”
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Absolutely you have to be the Son of God!”
When they reached the other side of the sea, they went ashore at Gennesaret.
And when the men of that area recognized Him, they spread the word throughout all the surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick;
and they begged Him to let them just touch the fringe of His robe; and all who touched it were perfectly restored.
New International Version (NIV) John the Baptist Beheaded 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,
2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much
7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said.
19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him
36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Maksutov wrote: How very interesting. Those who knew him best believed him least. Of course, he disrespected and dismissed them earlier, probably because they dared question him. But they apparently knew enough to be a threat to his mission.
I can only imagine what they think of you back in your hometown...
I still live in my hometown, Nip. And I always have treated my mother and my family with respect. Jesus didn't care about "honor thy father and mother"....one of the commandments, as I recall?....unless he found out about his real dad, Pantera, and that accounted for his bitterness.
LittleNipper wrote: I can only imagine what they think of you back in your hometown...
I still live in my hometown, Nip. And I always have treated my mother and my family with respect. Jesus didn't care about "honor thy father and mother"....one of the commandments, as I recall?....unless he found out about his real dad, Pantera, and that accounted for his bitterness.
You do not know how Jesus treated His adoptive Father and Mary His mother. We know that His earthly ministry began when He was at least 30. We also know that at age 12, Jesus was already aware that His heavenly Father had plans for Him while His earthly parents thought they lost Him and discovered Him in the Temple ---- after 3 day! We will get to that event eventually.
I'm sorry that you are so bitter concerning God. It would seem to me that you would at least consider that there are some people here who love the Lord, and want you to have a fulfilled life and an wonderful eternity. Not everyone who cries Lord, Lord, is resting on Christ for their Salvation. Some think salvation by works is what life is all about. Some think life is nothing but a big cosmic happenstance and therefore has no meaning, rhyme, nor reason ----- other than it just is.
I don't believe this. And I certainly see nothing of any value arising from such a philosophical view of life.
