I am reading a book by Ravi Zacharias titled, "Jesus Among Other Gods". In Chapter 2, he makes some neat points. One is pointing out that Israel was an Eastern culture, that looked at things, naturally in an Eastern way. For example there, FAMILY, family reputation and status were more important than INDIVIDUAL status- quite different from our viewpoint.
But his second point prompted this post. He points out that the 4 Gospels point out lots of stuff, such as Jesus' genealogy, but is remarkably silent on stuff like his home, details of his occupation, clothing, accent, appearance. Why is that? These are all interesting aspects of the most IMPORTANT man to ever walk the earth!
What Scripture does emphasize must be important! And, what is left out... was left out for a REASON!
So, what do we know? Lots, but here are some high points:
Born of a Virgin,
Humbly born, in Bethlehem (oddly, but importantly), from Nazareth,
No rabbinical education,
Age 12 has astonishing theological knowledge,
At about age 30, he is baptized by John the Baptizer,
At the Christ's Baptism, the Trinity comes together - Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Happens again at Mt of Transfiguration),
He performs many miracles, including reviving the dead,
He trains 12 Disciples, none of which are professional theologians,
During Passover, He is tortured, then unjustly crucified, and buried,
The third day, he rises and appears to LOTS of people, and is touchable, and eats, and
He still changes people today!
So, aside from these vitals, nothing is really missing from the story. This is NOT the way we would do it, if we were writing the story... Ahhh, maybe THAT is the very point!
But his second point prompted this post. He points out that the 4 Gospels point out lots of stuff, such as Jesus' genealogy, but is remarkably silent on stuff like his home, details of his occupation, clothing, accent, appearance. Why is that? These are all interesting aspects of the most IMPORTANT man to ever walk the earth!
What Scripture does emphasize must be important! And, what is left out... was left out for a REASON!
So, what do we know? Lots, but here are some high points:
Born of a Virgin,
Humbly born, in Bethlehem (oddly, but importantly), from Nazareth,
No rabbinical education,
Age 12 has astonishing theological knowledge,
At about age 30, he is baptized by John the Baptizer,
At the Christ's Baptism, the Trinity comes together - Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Happens again at Mt of Transfiguration),
He performs many miracles, including reviving the dead,
He trains 12 Disciples, none of which are professional theologians,
During Passover, He is tortured, then unjustly crucified, and buried,
The third day, he rises and appears to LOTS of people, and is touchable, and eats, and
He still changes people today!
So, aside from these vitals, nothing is really missing from the story. This is NOT the way we would do it, if we were writing the story... Ahhh, maybe THAT is the very point!
The way WE would do it!....Is what caused us to have the list of things we do know.....:(
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