Both sides
I’ve always found it interesting that while the New Testament was written by believers in Christ Jesus. It shows both sides of the argument as to who Jesus is. John’s gospel records,
“But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near,
Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.
No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”
For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.
The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.
You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.”
Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.
However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, “Where is that man?”
Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”
But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews. John 7:2-13.
The brothers referred to in this portion of scripture are the half brothers of Jesus other children of Mary and Joseph who at the time doubted his divinity.
John also notes that at the feast of Tabernacles, which was a major feast, people were looking for him and that there was a debate as to who he was. John noting,
“Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” John 7:12.
The way I see it the purpose of the New Testament is two fold.
1. It instructs believers in Christ Jesus how to live their lives in a way that is acceptable to God.
2. It presents to all who would read it, the argument that Jesus is indeed the Son of God the Saviour of mankind.
At the same time it hides nothing. It admits that even in when Jesus walked on this earth there was a debate as to who He was.
Ultimately the New Testament writers however leave it up to the reader to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Thus I would ask you the reader, if you do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, to read what the New Testament has to say about Jesus and decide for yourself who he is.
Please think about it.
I’ve always found it interesting that while the New Testament was written by believers in Christ Jesus. It shows both sides of the argument as to who Jesus is. John’s gospel records,
“But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near,
Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.
No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.”
For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.
The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.
You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.”
Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.
However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, “Where is that man?”
Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”
But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews. John 7:2-13.
The brothers referred to in this portion of scripture are the half brothers of Jesus other children of Mary and Joseph who at the time doubted his divinity.
John also notes that at the feast of Tabernacles, which was a major feast, people were looking for him and that there was a debate as to who he was. John noting,
“Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” John 7:12.
The way I see it the purpose of the New Testament is two fold.
1. It instructs believers in Christ Jesus how to live their lives in a way that is acceptable to God.
2. It presents to all who would read it, the argument that Jesus is indeed the Son of God the Saviour of mankind.
At the same time it hides nothing. It admits that even in when Jesus walked on this earth there was a debate as to who He was.
Ultimately the New Testament writers however leave it up to the reader to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Thus I would ask you the reader, if you do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, to read what the New Testament has to say about Jesus and decide for yourself who he is.
Please think about it.
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