Two posts ago there was mention of certain things in the writings, that is in the scriptures, that were mentioned. There was no claim there that these two, at least, presented any contradiction. At least not as contradiction of the writings themselves, but not without some note of their being in contradiction to certain attitudes about the writings, particularly as often expressed.
And God knows I am not seeking to undermine anyone’s faith, nor cast even the slightest doubt as has been encountered by the many who (often identifying themselves as atheists) care to bring up multiple places where they see, or say, the Bible contradicts itself and is therefore worthless. Here I am only addressing fairly common attitudes and predispositions that may be shown as less than fruitful. At least as far as I am persuaded, God knows.
In this matter, this saying of Jesus is of utmost saliency:
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
And surely not without mention of this also:
‘Ye search the Writings, because ye think in them to have life age-during, and these are they that are testifying concerning me; and ye do not will to come unto me, that ye may have life; (Young’s Literal Translation for clarity)
In the first quote of above there is no translation that shows “the” for your in “Is it not written in your law…” (Italics mine)
What Jesus could have said is always moot, for He says what He says. And it is not without note that in that particular exchange some were contending with Jesus over the matter of blasphemy, and that such blasphemy by Him was both indictable and provable by their reliance upon the law and scripture(s). They believed that they were right in saying
For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (For they all believed they were properly schooled of the scriptures in regards to this, and probably not exclusive of this:
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: (And I am not here seeking to make anything relative to Christ’s divinity nor deity, as germane as that might seem) No, simply His referencing of another scripture…which he then ascribes as in “your law“. Do I doubt Jesus’ relationship to that scripture as though He were distancing Himself from it by saying “your law” instead of “the law”? Not at all.
And as surely as Jesus well understood the assumptions (and more…presumptions) of those who, believing themselves so adherent to, and expert in the scriptures would then use them as means of accusation against Him, He was by plain statement saying if you say “these are yours (and bound to them) then you are no less bound to all of them”. Jesus was not trying to wiggle out of their accusation by use of another scripture, but plainly showing both their own ignorance of, and cherry picking (for their own ends) of the scriptures…Jesus even allowing them a full ownership in saying “your law”. But if you claim some ownership (as Jesus well knew they did) than you are under obligation to own all.
If understood in the light, the second quote says so much more (about ignorance, presumption, reluctance, resistance and stiffneckedness)
‘Ye search the Writings, because ye think in them to have life age-during, and these are they that are testifying concerning me; and ye do not will to come unto me, that ye may have life;
Oh, but Jesus is far too bold here if one can see it. The “all” upon which you (or some present then, or even present today) stand for discovery of eternal life both testify of me (Jesus)…and that no less, this thing you seek and you believe you will find in there (the scriptures) is all of present in me and to any who will come to me…”yet you do not will to come”. In short…despite your many protestations, so called efforts of diligence in seeking…”I know” (Jesus is saying) “You really ain’t after that at all as made plain by refusing to come to me”.
Yes, Jesus is bold. He knows motives and hearts, in all, without exception. In fact in so many other places He makes plain the more plain to Him reason for all that so called effort, diligence and feigned seeking, “you get to look like experts and lords…lording it over God’s inheritance, loving chief seats and greetings…and esteeming yourselves amongst one another; Jesus Himself describing/outlining/delineating one of the chiefest things in prevention of belief:
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
Yep, looking good before one another (by whatever metric found attractive) is as much a snare as ever it was, is, and will be. And if you haven’t found yourself not immune to its charms on your own, susceptible even, still with a little “like” (or worse and God forbid, demands, even requests) for amens, one might wonder what man does that one believe Jesus came for to save? Do you not yet even know in yourself in slightest how the merest of acknowledgments from man can then be wrought into the grandest of idol’s temples? Does one not see it?
Have as much care for amens as one is made able (by the cross of Christ alone!) as for derisions. For until that cross is both seen and to whatever extent known, a man is so easily moved by them. Care for neither.
If there be any agreement in truth, or any truth…it is all God’s work. And even if there be derisions, if one is made able to accept it as same hand ministering all things to the believer, derisions too will have a fruitful work also.
Listen if you can. I write as one who has known the biggest suck up among men, seeking their favor. I have also known no man greater than that same man who is more given to self pity when meeting any resistance, contradiction and/or rebuke. I know him…intimately. But and yet, there is no boast of any knowing such a shameful thing…even in its extremity of chiefliness. Compromiser. Bold till blood is called for.
Crown of creation till true Creator batters down gates, walls, and battlements with one slight breath. One who has even (it would be appropriate to here laugh uproariously) used the scriptures in some vain imagination to keep Him at bay:
“This couldn’t possibly be your assault Lord because…”
Yes, if you are able, I needn’t ask for, request, tap my toe in anticipation…for your laughter is a welcome thing, not a sought for thing from you. Yes, please…laugh at him…all you want…and can. You will be doing that man all the favor. But if you cannot or will not, peace to you.
And I at best, though wearing a fools cap, am only, and again only at best, made to be a helper of another’s joy.
If a fall in blind pride, like a man slipping upon a banana peel, is appointed to that joy…yes…it proves the Lord is faithful.
If presumption’s pedestal begins to totter precariously and a man is beheld falling as like from his own erector set, yes, glory to God for His all seeing eye. Not sparing his sight of any man’s own work.
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for it.
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