| The Axe To The Roots Jesus: Crucifixion, Resurrection and Return . 2 |
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| I love to read the gospels, which tell the amazing stories of Jesus. When I think about him blowing people's minds by his unbiased love, power and healing, it is then I know inside of me that he is real. The stories are real. The miracles are real. How do I know this? I just know deep down because the truth gently rings within me like a long-lost friend to my spirit. Still I have many questions. Likewise, many around him in that day, also had questions. Jesus never seemed to give the answers to them, but rather asked questions of them. Why did he do this? I believe he merely asked the questions that would cause us to question our own beliefs and their origins. He causes us to seriously consider our current beliefs and ask, "Are they truth or has my own mind become the prison which keeps me from freedom?" My approach to Jesus is not an attempt to discredit him or his ministry in any way. Rather, I believe we are the ones who have totally misunderstood his life and message. What was he saying? What is the truth that ultimately brought him to crucifixion, then resurrection, shaking the entire known world of that day and affecting us still today? Question One: Some teach Jesus and his kingdom to be coming again to this world. If true, why then did Jesus teach, "The kingdom of God is within you...not outside of you...not visible with the physical eyes...and at hand;" and how come we do not hear that very same message preached, today? (Luke 17:20-21; Mark 1:15) Question Two: If Jesus is the only son of God, why did Paul and John both state that, "we are the sons of God?" (Romans 8:14,19; Galatians 3:26; I John 3:2) Question Three: Jesus was crucified because he claimed to be the son of God and Christ. The scriptures state that we are the sons of God and Christ is in us. Who then killed the idea of us being one with God, God or man? (Colossians 1:27) Question Four: Some teach Jesus to be coming back literally in the clouds of the sky. Why then would Jude and the writer of Hebrews refer to clouds as being people, and could we have missed Jesus' appearing? (Jude 1:12; Hebrews 12:1) Question Five: If we understand resurrection correctly, why didn't Jesus' own disciples immediately recognize him after his resurrection?. (Luke 24:13-31) |
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| Acknowledgements People are brought into your life for a purpose, and so I must recognize just a few, who have carried with them messages for only me to hear. Many have impacted my thinking both positively and negatively. As always, the challenge is to sort out the pearls of truth while discarding the muck of falsehoods. If you think back to your own childhood, you will find many people who helped shape who you are and what you believe today. I must first thank my wife, who has shown me what it looks like to give to others. She is unselfish in her love and has constantly challenged my beliefs while at the same time been patient enough to listen to me. My wife has inspired me consistently through our marriage and has taught me so much through her inward vision, dreams and many good questions. Actually, I am still learning from her. Also, I have many good friends who challenge me with what they are hearing inside, regularly. Thank you all and especially W.E.B. and JAY for your shared wisdom and insights, which have spawned many of the various questions, I will continue to pose in this series of writings. Let us go on and share what we know... |
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| Copyright 2002 |
| Take time to ponder these questions... Research them... Don't give man-taught answers... Seek the truth within... |
| Did you ever wonder why "the church" focuses mainly on the death of Jesus...in effect holding the longest funeral in history, when Jesus' gospel message was about life and resurrection? |
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