Jesus

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, one of the most ancient churches in the world that dates back to the 6th century A.D., looked old. The original door, large and inviting, had been replaced with a very small opening - I had to stoop low to enter the church. Once inside, we were directed to a flight of stairs that took us to an area, 40 feet long and 16 feet wide, under the church. Our guide, pointing to a 14-point silver star on the floor, said, “That, tradition says, is the place where Jesus was born.” A rustic manger was nearby.

May I direct my letter to Ashley Camden's recent letter? Peace is in heaven at the present time. Peace is sitting at the right hand of his father, interceding for mortal man in need of a savior. His name is Jesus, for he is the prince of peace. This is what Christmas is all about - peace to all the world for He loves every one of us. M. Wendell Anderson Danville

There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Often times when reading the Bible, we should take the culture into account and this is one of those occasions. In Jesus' day, Jewish weddings lasted a week.  During the seven day celebration, the family and friends would stay at the home of the bride and groom. It was sort of a family reunion, engagement and honeymoon celebration all in one.  Jesus and his disciples were called to the marriage. Jesus' presence at this wedding, at the onset of His ministry, signals His stamp of approval on the institution of marriage.

The Gospel of John is unique. The Apostle John wrote this one-of-a-kind Gospel. Each of the Gospels was written with a specific group of people in mind. The Gospel of Matthew was written for the Jews, calling Jesus the King of the Jews, and it referenced the Old Testament Scriptures more than 100 times. The Gospel of Mark is what I like to call, “a hurry-up Gospel.” Believed to be written for the Romans, Mark writes the word “immediately” 37 times. The Gospel of Luke, a very detailed Gospel, is believed to be written to the Greeks.  The Gospel of John focuses on the personal relationship Jesus made and the miracles He performed.

The absence, or inattention, to Christian faith causes us to miss it. It's there, of course, right in front of us … the words of Jesus. Some miss it as the result of the inability or refusal to simply admit the truth exists, but doesn't suit our subjective sensibilities of what we allow ourselves to possess.  If following closely what Jesus said we can know, that while He created the world, He ceded the daily confrontations of good and evil...

Blessed are You, o Lord! Teach me Your statutes. Psalms:119:12 The psalmist asked the Lord to teach him His laws. If the psalmist asked for the Lord to teach him His laws, it must mean help is available. Yes, help is available. Asking for help is something every Christian should know is available through prayer. The prerequisite for being teachable, is a willingness to humble yourself unto the Lord. Many go to schools and are taught, but few sit to listen and learn to understand and apply what they learn to their lives.

For centuries, the method of communication with those who lived elsewhere was the sending and receiving of letters. It remains a foundational concept of expression that relies upon diligent attention to delivery. The initial embryo of Christian faith began with Jesus. His life, death, resurrection and ascension establishes the validity of His purpose. His disciples were chosen for the expressed purpose of sharing this “good news” with those who would listen and believe that Jesus is who He said He is. In the 21st century, it is difficult for teenagers to comprehend how one could actually communicate without a cell phone, iPad, computer, email, Facebook, Twitter, and whatever comes next in their lifetime.

Judas, one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus is hardly mentioned, after having been chosen, and his life, like that of Jesus, soon ended after his presence and involvement in the garden where Jesus was praying. He is seen as a betrayer of the Lord. He is known as a traitor. He ended his life. The reason for his action is not known. We have been and continue to be exposed to various subjective explorations of surmised theories, but the fact remains that he was never quoted as saying anything.

There is confusion in Christian faith. To say that it doesn't exist is to admit that you simply deny it or you have never encountered it. The art of being confused is not one that needs development. It comes easily to those who have difficulty with “blind faith” and to those who yearn for documented data that is not now, nor will it ever be, available. Faith eliminates proof, by definition, and without the need for proof there would be no need for faith. Confusing? The segments of Biblical encounters that deal with the kingdom of God often are substantive evidences of confusion.

Some among us don't believe Jesus ever existed. That story, in their view, is nothing but a myth. Some do believe that He existed, but are confounded with the mystery that oftentimes seems to shroud His presence among us.  Those who deny Him do so, at least in large measure, as the result of having no original texts, penned by a known author, who is certified as having lived in places of factual existence during specific years of birth and...