Many of us have not given much thought to the diversity that was reflected in the ministry of Jesus. In addition to the ethnic diversity that we have seen in this week's lesson, one can also view the fact that Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry the cross, was from North Africa and is considered to be black. Moreover, diversity is reflected in the fact that he had females among his disciples. Also, there were people from diverse professions among the twelve--Peter, James and John were fishermen; Matthew was a tax collector; and Judas knew something about accounting and/or business since he was the treasurer of the Jesus circle. Diversity was also reflected from another perspective. The second Simon is given a designation to differentiate him from Simon Peter. This Simon is said to be a Caananite which means that he was a Zealot.
All this tells me that Jesus was very inclusive. Are we as inclusive in our outlook and practice in this the 21st century? Are there groups and/or peoples that we are excluding from our circles? If so are we true disciples and fit citizens of the kingdom? Let' truly follow in His steps, my friends!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I have really enjoyed the lessons so far in the quartlery. However I had a concern with the opening story for this week. You mentioned 'Jim" who drank a potion containing blood in order to be able to stay among a people group to share Jesus. It seems to me the Bible commands us to not eat blood. So I would think we wouldn't do this even to witness. Just like I wouldn't kill someone to gain access to a street gang so I can share Jesus.
Besides that opening story, the lesson was filled with great points and perfect Bible passages to remind us just how much God is a non-respecter of persons. Thanks
Adventist Pastor
Dear Fellow Pastor:
Greetings and thanks for your comments! God be praised that you are finding the lessons helpful. Please allow me to remind you of something we were taught in ministerial training. An illustration is not truth, it is a window to truth. What is most important is the central truth being communicated and not the details.
Most illustrations break down at some point. Let me use a biblical story to illustrate. Are we to believe that the dead are alive and can communicate with each other? Isn't that what we could deduce from the story of the Rich man and Lazarus. Yet, the point Jesus was making with the story is that the time to prepare for death is now and he was not using the details which could contradict the teaching of scripture. Similarly, my point with this story was to show the young man's willingness to break down the barriers to win souls to Christ. This says that at times we may be called upon to break down barriers for the gospel and we need to be willing to do so just as Jesus broke barriers to come to earth to dies to rescue us from sin and just as be broke down barriers to reach Samaritans, Romans, Canaanites, women, publicans, etc. Let's also not for-get the illustration God used to make a similarpoint to Peter--He gave Peter a sheet with all kinds of unclean animals and told him to rise, kill and eat. He then told Peter not to call common or unclean what He had cleansed. Acts 10:28 then explains that Peter was not to call an human common or unclean. Again the point is not the details of the story but the truth about braking down barriers that God wanted to share.
I am sorry but there is no perfect illustration. Yet, despite the imperfections of this story I used God can use it to teach truth to His people, just as he used an unclean raven to take food to Elijah. That was my assumption.
Post a Comment