tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post5405532921045477008..comments2023-04-22T12:31:37.714-07:00Comments on Blogging the Bible: April 19Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-36729794986206017042010-04-19T18:39:12.872-07:002010-04-19T18:39:12.872-07:00I always like reading your responses, Becky, even ...I always like reading your responses, Becky, even though I don't often have a ton to add them. Today, I especially liked your take on Zaccheus.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-6146921215368244162010-04-19T11:19:22.931-07:002010-04-19T11:19:22.931-07:00My brain is all jumbled and wonky right now, so I ...My brain is all jumbled and wonky right now, so I will probably end up combining thoughts from today and yesterday (or talking about something else entirely; who knows?).<br /><br />Okay, I'm not up on my Langston Hughes, but I know how to use Google. :) Could it be "Dream Deferred"? Sorry I cheated, but it was worth it to read the poem. Very nice.<br /><br />Here's what I think: Yes, God does make available to us the power not to sin. However, it is up to us to get and use that power. This would be a perfect system but for two things: 1) In human form, we are limited in our ability to tap in to this resource. If we are cell phones, we only get so good of a signal. There are things we can do to get a better signal, but it will never be 100 percent. Only Jesus was able to get 100 percent. 2) Even if we <i>could</i> get 100 percent, we would get cocky and eventually think that it was <i>our own</i> power that was doing great things. We would forget to tap in to God's power, and then we would be left sinning again. I think that's what happened to the Israelites.<br /><br />One thought about Zacchaeus: It didn't take him long to offer to give his money away. I wonder if he already knew in his heart what the right thing was to do, but he had to come face to face with Jesus to articulate it.<br /><br />I don't know the specifics of the analogy in the story of the man with the three servants, but I think the point is that, if you are going to call yourself a Christian (or God's servant), don't bother unless you plan to get out there and <i>do</i> something. If you just sit on your comfy pew but are afraid to work in a ministry or do something for someone else or try to lead someone to Jesus (or whatever else is needed) because you are afraid you will screw up, then you might as well give up your spot on the pew for someone else who <i>will</i> do these things.<br /><br />It is exciting how Luke writes about Jesus getting closer and closer to Jerusalem. I always thought the triumphal entry was kind of odd, though. How did the people know to praise him right then? Were they really up on the prophecies in the scriptures, or were they just randomly overcome with excitement?<br /><br />I also don't quite agree with the Sons of Korah. I know what they mean, but, <i>technically</i>, they are not quite right. They also use too many words to convey very simple concepts. I bet the Pharisees liked them.<br /><br />The Proverb makes it kind of a weighty thing when I <i>am</i> the person giving advice. It had better be good, or I will lead them toward death. Yikes!beksterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724637942561747185noreply@blogger.com