Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johny Joe Hold
|
Quote:
Many who chose to visit with Jesus benefited greatly from their encounter. While some were no doubt nervous at first,
|
|
I'm beginning to wonder about The Christian Post, in particular their familiarity with Jesus in the historical record. Roman centurions, demon possessed self mutilators, rich young men, poverty stricken crones, none of them seemed nervous – quite the reverse in fact. Pawing at Him, tugging His clothes, describing their convulsing progeny and dead relatives. Jesus did not necessarily mind this but that's not the point.
Luke 18:9a, 10, 13 And [Jesus] spake this parable . . . Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican . . . And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Regardless of where his eyes were pointing, this publican was not averse to presenting his case and in a fairly dramatic manner. As you know, I'm fond of train travel; the clickety-clack of the wheels, the novelty of ordering soup in the dining car, the various lounges and comfortable bedding, all combine for a lovely journey: except sometimes there's an "unusual" passenger: I'm recalling one now.
It was one of the lounges. He didn't seem (i.e. smell) intoxicated but was rocking back and forth and staring at the carpet. "Nervous" was not a word I've have used to describe him and he was making vocal noises. Neither sighing nor wailing, neither happy not sad, just noises. Suddenly, and to everyone's surprise, he started waving his arms around and banging his chest/torso/head etc., all the while staring fixedly at the floor of the train.
Gradually the noises became words. Those few of us remaining preferred the vague noises – the salient feature of the whole performance being an utter lack of nervousness or reticence of any description. It's a big thing with beaters of themselves upon the chest. They are not nervous.
Christ's example, although avoiding eye contact and remaining aloof, seems very much not nervous. Many other things? Sure. But not nervous. Which is why I wonder about The Christian Post – but thank you for posting examples; I'll continue reading them to see if they agree with Scripture in the future.