Wednesday, November 17, 2010

From the Men's Bible Study, Nov. 17




Jeremiah 23: 1-6, Colossians 1: 11-20 Luke 23: 33-43

Words about Words was a theme we captured in the discussions.

The metaphor of the Shepherd and the lost sheep in Jeremiah is typically inferred of the coming of a Messiah that will gather and protect his people. During Jeremiah’s writing, the message was one providing hope for those in Judah that were in the grips of being shipped off to Babylon. The terms justice, righteousness, safety, and deal wisely illuminate an image of a kingdom that is perfect in all ways. “I will bring them back to their fold and they shall be fruitful and multiply.”

Chuck Jones told us that this read in Colossians has a special prayer-creed that tells those in Colossus what it is that Jesus is about:
“He is the image of the invisible God, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and in him all things hold together.”

The feast day of Christ the King is relatively new, in around 1925 it became a feast to bridge Pentecost and Advent, Father Schuller noted that depending on the position of Catholic and Protestant theology this feast may be a major or a minor celebration.

The Gospel from Luke is the portion of the crucifixion-passion in which Jesus forgives those responsible for his crucifixion. He also gives comfort to a criminal who was also being put to death on a cross. He tells this man, Demas (also called Dismas, Dumachus) that he will be in paradise with Jesus.

The group present reflected on what was most meaningful in this Gospel reading. There is no correct or right response. The words that touch us and have special meaning are always inadequate to the sacrifice and the love personified in Christ. In spite of harsh treatment, abandonment, cruel words, humiliation, Jesus provides comfort to a criminal and forgives.

William Barkley notes that “Jesus said many wonderful things, but rarely anything more wonderful than, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do! Christian forgiveness is an amazing thing.”
Submitted by Walt Jaap

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