Weblogic

Discussion 6
They Met Jesus: Peter

Peter is a participant in life, not a viewer of the action. He is overtly involved with all and by all who come his way. In today's vernacular he probably would consider himself an idea man (he is a natural leader) and impetuously would offer himself to the nearest "think tank." He must often find the discipline of submitting to the authority of Jesus difficult, yet he chooses Jesus as his captain. As a disciple he may often say "But, but," though eventually he always says "Yes, Lord," never "No." Once when Jesus gives his disciples the option of leaving him, Peter says, "To whom shall we go?" Peter understands that Jesus not only is his captain but the one who alone has the words of eternal life.

Discussion 4
They Met Jesus: the Blind Man

The healing episode in John 9 is more than an encounter of a blind man with Jesus; here is a confrontation between the power of God and the power of authoritarian and sterile religion. The Pharisees have become so bound by the additions to the Law of God of all the small details of traditions accumulated through the centuries that they are unable to recognize the works of God in their midst.  The blind man comes to Jesus with deep physical and social needs and discovers him to be much more than a healer. In the face of much opposition and even .financial pressure he comes to see the real issues involved and grows in his personal loyalty and commitment to Jesus. He refuses to be swayed by the numbers or intensity of the influential people who oppose Jesus. For those of us who are tempted to deny Jesus in the face of such pressures from society today, this blind man offers a pattern to follow.

Discussion 3
They Met Jesus: a Ruler and Zacchaeus
In these passages we see Jesus meeting two wealthy men: the first, young, serious, apparently holding his wealth through inheritance; the second, a despised tax collector whose wealth has been gained through over-taxation of the community. In countries impoverished by Rome's exorbitant taxes, men readily associated the tax collector with the hated conquerors. Understandably, the wealthy tax collector was an object of hatred in Palestinian communities under Roman occupation.
We can possess things, or things can possess us. Both Zacchaeus and the ruler are owned by their possessions and ambitions, but Zacchaeus responds to Jesus' authority and is set free from his bondage. He recognizes that loyalty, worship, indeed his total person, may be yielded fully and appropriately to the Lordship of Christ.
Jesus is an idol breaker in the lives of those who let him rule.
He is the real and comes to show up the false. Unless the ruler had a change of heart and came later to follow Jesus, his is one of the most tragic stories of the New Testament. The love and worship of money and what it can achieve are still a god to which many are devoting their lives.

Discussion 2

They Met Jesus: The Pharisee and the Woman; the Centurion
,.
Simon the Pharisee illustrates how a person can have close contact with Jesus, know a great deal about him, and yet completely miss out spiritually. Simon fails to respond appropriately to Jesus in the light of who Jesus is and what his own need is. Simon tries to put Jesus on trial but it becomes obvious that it is Simon himself who is on trial. The woman who comes to Jesus has a clear understanding of herself, her sin, and her need of forgiveness and cleansing from the Lord. In contrast to the Pharisee, she responds to Jesus with love and worship.
The centurion is drawn to Jesus by circumstances beyond his control. Here is a man who has a successful career, a man who wields power, but a man who has something happening within his own household which he cannot control. In this situation the centurion comes to the Lord Jesus Christ, who has ample power to cope with the problem.