I have to to tell you I've been doing allot of thinking lately. Yesterdays sermon that Pastor Patti gave on John chapter 16, really got my thinker going. You see, I've been experiencing some anxiety lately, which is not usual for me, and it has not been a comfortable experience, but I have discovered it has been beneficial, and maybe even sent by God to write some lessons on my heart.
Pastor patti asked two hypothetical questions, that I thought were very profound.
The first was " Where does God turn to when he is feeling worried or anxious? " She came to the conclusion that Jesus, in chapter 16, was very concerned about his deciples because he was telling them about his death and leaving them on their own. He was giving them things to remember and trying to explain what was going to happen so they wouldn't be too shocked when it did happen.
The second question was " what if Judas had stayed at the last supper to the end instead of running out, would he have found forgiveness, even though he messed up big time?"
WOW! I love those questions.
I have my own answers. To the first, I would say firstly, that God is three persons, as we have recenlty been learning, and in that little "family" is a built in support system. They are one God but three individual personalities that could help and support each other in time of need. Many times Jesus went to the Father for comfort. Now that he is with the Father, why couldn't he be a comfort to him if he needed it? Just a thought. The other thing is, does God think like we do? Does he get anxious for himself, or for others? For example, if I say something to someone and not realizing it at the time hurt their feelings,and discover that I did because of their reaction, and I go to that person seeking forgiveness, but I don't receive it, so I keep trying to fix it, but ever time I try I just make it worse, my lack of peace increases with each effort and now I'm out to get peace for myself (selfish) wrather than thinking of what would bring the other person peace. I need to look inside and search for my motives and then act(or not act in this case) in a way that will bring peace to other person.
We have a selfish tendancy, I'm speaking for myself here, to be anxious for us and not so much for others. I have discovered this lately. Through my anxiety I have felt what my wife goes through , just a little, on a daily basis with her seizures. I can now identify a little better with her and perhaps be a little more sympathetic. So you see, not all anxiety is bad, it can lead to writing a lesson on the heart so we can identify better with others suffering, so we can be a real comfort to them.
For the second question, I believe if Judas had stayed, he would have received forgiveness, if he asked for it, and would have ended up in heaven right along side Jesus, even though he was instrumental for his crucifiction. That's how much love and grace I think our God has.
That begs another question. What if we don't recieve forgiveness from others when we ask for it? I have my answer, but I'd like to hear your's first.
Hopefully................................ To be
continued.
PS Ruth, I just want you to know my love and respect for you is growing daily. I don't know how you do it. You are one strong lady, and I know you get your strength from Jesus...... and you keep on smiling! WOW!
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9 comments:
Very interesting questions for sure! Sounds like a whoper of a sermon.
My answer to your question Doug,
I believe the earnest seeking of forgivness is what's important. The other person has a choice, and we believe is CALLED to forgive, in fact comanded to forgive. But if they will not forgive when we have earnestly sought forgiveness, I believe it becomes their burdon not ours.
:)
Thanks dnosirrom. I think you are right. But if we caused the problem in the first place, wouldn't a Davidic repentance be to shoulder the responsiblity and the burdon as well?
I think you have a strong point Doug. However, if one refuses to forgive are they not guilty themselves of sinning by not forgiving?
Pastor Patti's first question, I know is hypothetical, but, also easily explained. God could not get worried. He is Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent----All knowing, All powerful----Ever Present----it can't and won't happen. When she raised the question as a result of reading John 16, was when Jesus was here on earth in human form and I suppose he did get worried: but, He was so in tune with His Father in Heaven through prayer that He got all the sustinance He needed. Only once was He forsaken and that was just before He expired. That had to happen to fulfill His mission on earth of taking our sin upon Himself. I believe God has feelings as they pertain to His love for us but, He has no worries. Why would He ? He is All-Powerful! Who could oppose Him and win ?
Pastor Patti's second question is very intriguing because it involves the condition of the human heart and only God can change that. We can decide to yield to God but, we can't change ourselves. It's interesting to note that Judas died by hanging himself during the same time period when Jesus was standing trial before Pilate and Herod. My Schofield bible has a chart labeled the Harmony of the Life of Christ. Jesus was arrested at midnite on the Thursday. He appeared before Pilate between 5 and 6 AM Friday. Judas hung himself between 5 and 6 AM Friday. John 13:26 reads: " Jesus, when He had dipped the sop, gave it to Judas Iscariot. And after the sop, Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, that thou doest, do quickly ".
This raises other questions. Judas was obviously sorry for what he did because he returned the 30 pieces of silver to the temple, but, to whom could he go ? The disciples were scattered: Jesus was in custody: he was under the control of the devil. I suppose he could have prayed to God as King David and other Old Testament people did. I wonder how strong the hold was that Satan had upon him ? The questions are endless. God had a plan for the human race through Jesus and He had to be rejected and put to death for the plan to work. So, was Judas the pawn that set this plan in motion ? Was God heartless in using Judas ? He seemed to be heartless all through the Old testament toward those who did not worship Him.
I haven't solved any thing here. Probably threw more confusion into the arena. It sure would make a great group discussion. Got anymore controversial questions P.Patti ????
Do I have anymore controversial questions??!!
Nope, I believe my work here is done.
heehee!!
What I find a bit humourous is that Doug and the staff decided to close down the church blog discussing the sermons. What is the first thing Doug decides to do? Write about the sermon and this thoughts anyways on his own blog.
Guess it's hard to keep a good idea down.
I like your answer Don g. What DOES God the Father have to be worried about, he is after all GOD.
I think I found the answer to my question in todays devotional. It quoted the scripture from 1John1:9, " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and puirify us from all unrighteousness."
When we sin against others, we are really sinning against God.
We don't need to confess our sins or ask forgiveness for Gods benefit. He already knows. When we confess, it shows a change of heart on our part. As long as God forgives, which he promises to do, that is all we need. If the other person does not forgive us, that is not our problem. It would be nice if they did for their own sake, but is not essential for our forgiveness from God.
1John4:20-21 says" If anyone says,"I love God", yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Extension of forgiveness is a form of love.
I agree Don G. I think Jesus the man could have been worried, but God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscience. What could he possibly worry about?
Joe...I'm glad you're amused.My blog is about my life and in this post, my life and the sermon this week were intertwined. It really spoke to me personally, which is why I wrote about it. I don't expect to bring up the sermon every week, unless of course the subject relates to my experience like this one did.I think it's a good thing to talk about though. You will see more, I'm sure.
Do you have any opinion on the subject? I'd like to hear what you have to say.
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