Starting a new Bible oriented blog.
These might be completion of Bible stories and parables - or thoughts.
Let's see where this goes.
These might be completion of Bible stories and parables - or thoughts.
Let's see where this goes.
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Mark 10:17-27
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
New International Version (NIV)
Mark 10:17-27
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said.“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again,“Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the king
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a]”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said.“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again,“Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”dom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
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Hi Readers, Peresh
The above is my story - or at least the start of my story. Today, you are going to get the rest of the story.
My name is Peresh (note - this is a work of fiction - so the name comes from a website of Biblical names / places). My family was very successful in Israel at the time of Jesus. My father had several vineyards and olive farms. My uncle ran a very successful import / export business (especially for exporting the family wines and olive oils). I lacked for nothing. With my uncle and his shipping business, I had visited Rome, Greece, and other places while a teenager. This was my life. But, my family also did well by me in that I learned the scriptures from my childhood. I listened to the rabbis every Sabbath, I prayed daily, God was definitely part of my life.
When I heard of Jesus a spark grew within me - call it the "Hound of Heaven" or the Holy Spirit, and I needed to find this Jesus and listen to him. I did find him and listened to him - what truth he taught, what joy filled my heart. As you can see in the scripture above (verse 21) - Jesus looked at me and loved me. But, alas, alack, I was blinded by my possessions. When Jesus asked me to sell all that I had and give it to the poor, my brain said "no" (although my heart was yelling "yes").
I am now an old man. About six weeks ago, a chance encounter with a poor man in the slums around Jerusalem caused me to think about this situation from so many years ago. I realized how much I had been (and still was) a fool. Quietly in the past six weeks, I have been selling off my possessions (which are (or ... correction - 'were') numerous) and giving the money to the poor. I'm having food delivered to the slums (but it can not be traced back to me); one house where there are five young children without a father (who died in a construction accident) and the mother doesn't have the means to educate or cloth them has had an anonymous person stop by their door with food, clothing and money. There are many ways I am quietly doing things to help the poor and to live the message that Jesus taught.
I'm so glad that God didn't abandon me. Almost too many years too late, maybe I can live my life as God wants me to. And ... I've been quietly showing up at these "Christian" meetings - wearing old clothes (as if anybody would recognize me as that young man from so many years ago). Yes, my heart has been changed. THANK YOU JESUS!!!
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