Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Just thought I would start alittle expresion session.

What are things that you have noticed??

He seemed to be very ordinary.

He was very shrewd

He demonstrated LOVE in a way that might have seemed to be way out of place for his time.

he was kind of a rebel

33Peter said, "Master, I'm ready for anything with you. I'd go to jail for you. I'd die for you!"
34Jesus said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me."

60-62Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about." At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried. (Luke 22, Message)

I've thought about the same thing.

g

FC ... you asked ...

What did they see, what did he see?

What did they see ...?

I guess it would depend upon their HEART ...

If they thirsted and hunger for the voice of their shepherd they would have seen a kindly yet strong man ... one who CARED about THEM ... who LOOKED OUT for THEM ... who spent TIME with THEM ... who PLAYED with THEM ... who ATE with THEM ... who didn't view himself as SUPERIOR but spoke and dealt with them on a PERSONAL level ... who taught with AUTHORITY yet spoke in THEIR language ... who SAW and felt the DEEP LOVE and COMPASSION he felt for THEM ... who UNDERSTOOD them ... who offered them HOPE ...

If they were not of spiritual inclination they would have saw DETERMINATION ... yet view it as a THREAT instead of ENTREATY ... they would see ANGER instead of RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION ... they would have viewed words of JUDGMENT against themselves and felt FEAR ... or would they have even REALLY LOOKED AT ALL ... for if they had ... if they had opened the eyes of their hearts ... they would have EMBRACED all that our Lord was ...

And what did our Lord see ...?

He saw helpless defenseless sheep trapped in way of life that was too unbearable to live ... he would have saw hopelessness in eyes too old for such young faces ... he would have saw timidity in a people long suppressed ... he would have saw the glimour of hope when he saw that saw him ... heard him ... came to him ... was embraced by him ... kissed by him ...

Yes, HIS SHEEP ... would KNOW HIM ... RECOGNIZE HIM ... just as HE would RECOGNIZE and KNOW THEM ...

And the strong bonds of love would prove to be unbreakable ... unshakeable ... unbeatable ...

May we come TO SEE OUR LORD ... for he ALREADY SEES US!!

Just some feelings before I hit the sack ... a tired and sleepy but satisfied to have spent her day with her spiritual family of the heart!!:grouphug::heartbeat::happyheart:

BR :bouncyhearts:

Hi All,
The fact that all kinds of people came to him for help, regardless of gender or wealth, were all accepted by him. His love for mankind was manifest in everything he did.His great pity for people, even those who persecuted him, shows the depth of his love for all sinners. That's why we cannot even begin to imagine the extent that his sacrifice will cover, because we can't read the hearts and minds of anyone. His great pity for the world will bring with it a forgiveness that will surpass anything we could ever think possible. Praise Jah, you people.:giverose:

Christian love to all.
Sister Grateful:giverose: :happyheart:

I know how the Lord saw his bride.   How could his heart not burned as she poured out her life savings on his feet, kissed them tenderly, cried upon them, and dried them with her hair?   The frauds sneered at your past - you were nothing but gutter trash to them - but the Lord loved you like no other! Have you ever been so love-struck that you could not see any defect in the object of your passion?   Have you ever been loved by someone so much they were literally blinded to your lesser qualities?  They see something in you that you cannot see in yourself.    When Christ saw his bride, he saw her like that!   When he saw her, like Adam he cried, "AT LAST!! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh!!".     He is a knight in shining armor that goes to the pits of hell for the sake of the fair maiden to save her from the dragon that held her captive.      She is the joy that was set out before him that he was willing to endure death on the crufix.   Just as Eve came out of Adam's side - the Bride of Christ pours out of the wound on his side!   She pours out of his heart, blood and water.   Oh bride of Christ, your Lord loves every part of your body!   Like in the song of songs he goes down the list starting from your hair to your feet!   To him you are the most beautiful thing in the entire world. You are adorned with every precious stone, pearl, and a gold so pure it is transparent.   You are loved by the Lord and he longs to take you behind the veil and be one with you forever and ever!

I think of the true compasion he felt. and the indignation at those who do not love truth.

Who will be the first to cast a stone ?? is something that always comes to mind.
Yes she was an adulteress but as he clearly put it to those seeking blood. You who are without sin should cast the first stone..

I can only imagine the silence that must have followed. and the hugh realease of emotion felt by the woman. who was on the edge of death.. MERCY is one of the greatest quality's is it not.

My thoughts are in blue.

I think when Jesus looked at Peter, Peter saw himself.  Jesus held up a huge giant mirror to Peter's soul, and Peter saw himself as Jesus saw him.  Jesus saw the love Peter had for him, the strength he was capable of, and the forgiveness he would eventually allow himself for his denial.  

Jesus knew Peter loved him.  Jesus knew Peter had strength- its why he gave him the keys of the kingdom.  Jesus knew that understanding the ransom sacrifice meant Peter would have to forgive himself of his sin, as Jesus had done even before the sin was committed- and Peter knew that, because Jesus warned him before-hand.

Peter saw all of this in Jesus' eyes when he looked at him.  It wasn't all shame and hurt that made him cry.  It was knowing that Jesus had already forgiven him, and that he would never stop loving him.  That is what made him cry.  Love.

EXACTLY.  Again, they saw the love Jesus had for them, and for Jehovah, and those who couldn't accept the love of God could not accept Jesus.  They saw in him, all that they could be, their full potential as true children of God, and they shied away from it, from him, from God, from Grace.

I think with Jesus, and Jehovah, they don't NOT see our faults and flaws, so much as accept them, and us as we are. They know they can make us perfect with a flick of a wrist, but they also know from experience (Adam and Eve and Satan) that perfection is no guarantee of love, obediance, and worship. So in our flawed state, they love us even more, because we love them.

And yet the Bible says He loved us first. He gave his life thousands of years before we were even born. From the beginning of the Universe, Jehovah loved us, and provided for us- first by creating us. Then by giving us Jesus, the most precious gift ever given by anyone to anyone.

So its not that they don't see our flaws, its more that they see us for who we are, for who we can be, and who we try to be- and love us for each and every one of who we are, who we can be, and who we try to be.

Jesus was the son of God.  He had powers we can only dream of.  He could have pulled up a wind storm to kill all those people, called angels to carry the woman away, or simply told them "Do it because I/and God said so."  

But he didn't.  He showed not only mercy to the woman, but mercy to the crowd.  He showed them to themselves.  He asked them to examine themselves, and to judge themselves first, if they were to judge anyone.  He LET them decide for themselves that sticking to the letter of the law is not always in the spirit of the law.  That love MUST come first, for in love is the Law fulfilled.

So yes, he showed great mercy to the woman, but think too of the mercy he showed to the crowd.  How many of them went home, thinking?  Thinking about the things he said, about the things he did, and about how it changed their lives- his LOVE?

Jesus shows us love, in letting us decide who we are, who we want to be, and who we can try to be, and then assures us that while we can't do it on our own, he will ALWAYS be there for us.  He accepts us for who we are, while never ceasing to encourage us to better ourselves, and ultimately, provides the way for us to be better- all thru his LOVE.  

Praise Jesus.

Much love to you,
Sis Micah

Cali wrote  "He accepts us for who we are, while never ceasing to encourage us to better ourselves, and ultimately, provides the way for us to be better- all thru his LOVE. "

:cheer:  positive reinforcement wow  and just think we are in this 21st centry are just starting to understand it..

I :heartbeat: Jah's pateince.

:clap: Greetings fellow slaves!! :clap:

Something I love about Jesus Christ, was also how he was the perfect reflection of Love -- the embodiment of sentient Life Force Energy, as it was supposed to 'Be'! Love is the Laws fulfillment -- and thats quite a fact, when really given thought! Everything in that has been created, exists according to the respective Law that governs its existence -- anything from Traffic Law, to the Law of Gravity, Reciprocation, Attraction, Repulsion etc.

All Laws created directly by Jah, can be summed up within Universal Law. Jeremiah 6:16 alludes to Universal Law within the context of the 'roadways of long ago'.

"This is what Jehovah has said: “Stand still in the ways, YOU people, and see, and ask for the roadways of long ago, where, now, the good way is; and walk in it, and find ease for YOUR souls..."

The Hebrew word, ‛ôlâm or o-lawm' - used for 'long ago' as defined by Strongs has some interesting points -->

"properly concealed, that is, the vanishing point; generally time out of mind (past or future), that is, (practically) eternity; frequentative adverbially (especially with prepositional prefix) always: - always (-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, [n-]) ever (-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+ without end)."

For anything to exist, congruently to eternity, continuance, perpetuation or without end -- it must be something that exists within the framework of Law -- Universal Law!! The 'roadways of long ago' are, imo, in fact, a template for perpetual existence!

While we all have been stained by Adamic Sin -- our Lord and King, was not. Being completely sin-free and being aware of having a whole Universe of Faith within his Life Force, Christ could right-fully say, one of his many famous statements --> "I am the Way...". He walked the Perfect Path of existence within the framework of Universal Law, the 'roadway of long ago' -- which is ultimately, Love!! (Romans 13:10, Galatians 5:14)

Christ is our Lord and King! Our Model and Exemplar! The ultimate Jedi! He rebelled against the fascist regime of the Old Personality!! He looked kindly upon the weak, and the poor and the ones who were outside that of pervading social and cultural bounds!! He saw the potential good within those who could only see self-loathing and worthlessness!! He actuated the manifestation of a Reality, that is based on the Truth!! (John 14:6-7)

And all it required, was a Thought! A Thought, made of Faith!! Based on a glimpse of the Truth!! The Truth, that we are loved!! The Truth, that we are good enough!! The Truth that there does exist a Higher Consciousness that is always there for us, always with us, no matter what we do, or where we go!! (Joshua 1:9).

The Truth that there is a Way of Life that affords one the gift of reaping with a view to the Spirit!! A Way, that has always existed, made by the Word, who created existence!! To be able know of a Kingdom Path is one thing -- but to be able to feel it, and to know it, and to see it, within the Life course of Christ -- who showed, the 'roadways of long ago' in perfect sentient form, is nothing short of amazing!!

The Unification of Universal Law into one word?

:hug: LOVE!! :hug:

Who is Love?

:yahoo: JEHOVAH GOD!! :yahoo:

Who showed us Love, in sentient form?

:friends: JESUS CHRIST!! :friends:

:thumbsup: So perhaps that is the goal, huh friends? Finding and living the 'roadways of long ago' -- the Way!! -- Existence within the parameters of Law!! -- Gods Kingdom!! Go Jesus!! Go Jehovah!! :thumbsup:

May LOVE be with you!!

your bro -- beau! :cheer::cheer::cheer:

Jesus' love would be out of place today too. He loved his disciples, men and women. He loved children. He cried when he was sad. He wasn't afraid to show emotion. He treated women and children with respect. He was bold and courageous but in a respectful way, though maybe not all realized it.

I wonder how he must have felt when he was on the stake, looking down at everyone. Some enemies, some brothers. Was he sad for them even though he was happy to be going back to his father?

And how blessed were those who got to know him as a man. Like John and Peter. What's really amazing is that we can feel just the same way they did, even though he isn't with us physically. Of course we have the body of Christ, the congregation. And we have holy spirit. We can have the same joy the apostles had...right now.

Anthony, your post was awesome.

Nami...Agreed!

Wouldn't you have loved to just once, look into his eyes, and hear his voice.

His eyes just shined of love, truth, strength and zeal.  His voice, one of passion for his father, and a desire to pass that love onto the other children of God.  

He saw the pureity of people, their beauty.  He helped all who he was around to know the father.  Not a father of judgement, but one who loves us so deeply that he is willing to blot out all our faults and sins forever.  The warmth he displayed to those he came in contact with must have kindled the same feeling in those who recieved it.  People were drawn to him.  He provided something they needed...the warmth of the love of the Father.  What a joy it would be to pass that love, that warmth and security, on to others.  I can see how Jesus could say it was food to him.

No wonder the Apostles could not even fathom that Jesus was going to leave them.  They deeply love him so much, and the love he showed them was immesurable.  One that they could not even concieve of living without.  What a blow, when he was no longer with them, to suddenly be without that love surrounding them.  And what a relief after the ressurection, when they realized that that love, warmth and acceptance was going to be with them forever.  Then the spirit was poured out, and they realized, their mission.  To pass that love, that pure love, onto others, so that they too can feel at one with Christ and God.

May our Mission become clearer day by day, I pray that I may have the privilage to pass that love onto others.:heartbeat:

Lynn

Cali -

"I think when Jesus looked at Peter, Peter saw himself. Jesus held up a huge giant mirror to Peter's soul, and Peter saw himself as Jesus saw him. Jesus saw the love Peter had for him, the strength he was capable of, and the forgiveness he would eventually allow himself for his denial.

Jesus knew Peter loved him. Jesus knew Peter had strength- its why he gave him the keys of the kingdom. Jesus knew that understanding the ransom sacrifice meant Peter would have to forgive himself of his sin, as Jesus had done even before the sin was committed- and Peter knew that, because Jesus warned him before-hand.

Peter saw all of this in Jesus' eyes when he looked at him. It wasn't all shame and hurt that made him cry. It was knowing that Jesus had already forgiven him, and that he would never stop loving him. That is what made him cry. Love."


THANKS - I needed that. I could not add a thing to it either, except to say that "....he was in no need to have anyone bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man" (Joh 2:25)

I wish I could give such a tremendous witness as you have here - my heart becomes too full when I think of this topic and I can't write about it coherently.

Your Brother in Christ

Son Of Korah

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Fear of not having
Fear of not being
Fear of not being loved
Fear of not understanding
Fear of not living

Jesus Promoted and showed us the exact opposite


Proverbs 9:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."


I just wanted to keep Jesus’s way’s on the forefront..

John 18:36
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

Who's Kingdom? and what are his way's is a question I would pose to any who care to answer??

10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth

Who's Kingdom? and what are his way's is a question I would pose to any who care to answer??

Ah, the sacred secrets of the kingdom. Excellent question, TD.

11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, 12 so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

‘When they see what I do,
they will learn nothing.
When they hear what I say,
they will not understand.
Otherwise, they will turn to me
and be forgiven.’ ” (Mark 4, New Living)

Did all of those who followed Jesus understand the illustrations, the sacred secrets? In another translation, Jesus said, "But I am using these stories to conceal everything about it from outsiders..." Apparently some were not entitled to understand the kingdom. If Jesus intended it that way, who can say that it's a bad thing?

On the one hand, he expected his true disciples to understand...and spent time with them to ensure that they did. Others, while amazed and awe-inspired at Jesus' wisdom and power, didn't take home the kingdom message. Without pointing any fingers, how many today claim to really understand the kingdom and preach it enthusiastically...and how many have actually transformed their lives in harmony with the mind of Christ?

Remember, the awe-inspired masses welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem one day and crucified him the next.

gus