Granted, they pick up on the theology, tenants and traditions of our faith ‘hit and miss’ as the result of sermons, interaction with clergy and seasoned lay persons, etc., and I cannot discount the value of it. Nonetheless, having never had a mentor in my own life, I perceive the inestimable worth in this discipline, and have made a priority of reaching, keeping and teaching those whom I refer to as “potential persons of excellence.”
In my capacity as a pastoral counselor, it has been my privilege to
mentor dozens of young and not so young adults over the years, and to
create a wealth of theological and practical teaching resources.
Lately, I have been teaching a topical series on the “9 Things a New Christian Should Know and Do.” This week’s topic focused on the Communion, or Eucharist.
And as I was engaged in a long-distance instant messaging session with ‘Nicole,’ who lives in the great state of Ohio, (and in whom I have the most profound respect and expectations for the future), and as we reached the bottom of Page 2, it ‘hit’ me.
“Then he (Pontius Pilate) released Barabbas to them.” (Matt. 27:26)
Of course, anyone who has been ‘in the Way’ for long has heard this story.
The Jews had handed Jesus over to the Roman governor for (a trumped up, quickie) trial, and as a result Pilate attempted to barter with them; in order to secure the release of our Lord. Surmising that if he offered to release a notorious insurrectionist and murderer, or Jesus, there would have been no question of the logic of sending Barabbas to the cross; (rather than the notion of his being freed, and suddenly in their midst once again).
Of course, the Jewish leaders would have none of it. And thus, they shouted,
“Give us Barabbas.”
I had simply never seen it before.
Oh, of course I had read the words, but I had never experienced the inspiration behind the words. And as Nicole and I interacted, and I typed out one key stroke, after another, I wrote,
…”Barabbas is Nicole. And Nicole is Barabbas.”
(to be continued)
By William McDonald, PhD. From (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 44. Copyright pending
If you wish to copy, share or save this blog, please include the credit line, above
**************
If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015, do the following:
Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the right margin.
Lately, I have been teaching a topical series on the “9 Things a New Christian Should Know and Do.” This week’s topic focused on the Communion, or Eucharist.
And as I was engaged in a long-distance instant messaging session with ‘Nicole,’ who lives in the great state of Ohio, (and in whom I have the most profound respect and expectations for the future), and as we reached the bottom of Page 2, it ‘hit’ me.
“Then he (Pontius Pilate) released Barabbas to them.” (Matt. 27:26)
Of course, anyone who has been ‘in the Way’ for long has heard this story.
The Jews had handed Jesus over to the Roman governor for (a trumped up, quickie) trial, and as a result Pilate attempted to barter with them; in order to secure the release of our Lord. Surmising that if he offered to release a notorious insurrectionist and murderer, or Jesus, there would have been no question of the logic of sending Barabbas to the cross; (rather than the notion of his being freed, and suddenly in their midst once again).
Of course, the Jewish leaders would have none of it. And thus, they shouted,
“Give us Barabbas.”
I had simply never seen it before.
Oh, of course I had read the words, but I had never experienced the inspiration behind the words. And as Nicole and I interacted, and I typed out one key stroke, after another, I wrote,
…”Barabbas is Nicole. And Nicole is Barabbas.”
(to be continued)
By William McDonald, PhD. From (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 44. Copyright pending
If you wish to copy, share or save this blog, please include the credit line, above
**************
If you would like to see the titles and access hundreds of my blogs from 2015, do the following:
Click on 2015 in the index to the right of this blog. When my December 31st blog, "The Shot Must Choose You" appears, click on the title. All my 2015 blog titles will come up in the right margin.
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